1. At the invitation of His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, His Excellency Mr. MAURO VIEIRA, Minister of State for External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil paid an official visit to Lomé on July 18 and 19, 2024. 2. This visit is in keeping with the excellent relations of fraternity, friendship and cooperation that have united Brazil and Togo since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1972. 3. At bilateral level, the two personalities praised the excellent quality of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Togo, while noting the absence of joint cooperation commission sessions between the two countries, as well as the holding of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the agreements signed to this effect, respectively in 1988 and 2018. 4. The two ministers, strengthened by this observation, urged each other to hold these periodic meetings in order to further strengthen cooperation between Brazil and Togo, which is founded on the values and ideals of peace, solidarity, mutual respect and win-win partnership, with a view to meeting the aspirations of both peoples. 5. Prof. Robert DUSSEY and Mr. MAURO VIEIRA reviewed key areas of cooperation between Brazil and Togo, including agricultural research, education and military training. 6. The Togolese minister thanked the Brazilian government for its support in implementing the “Institutional support for Togo’s technical institute for agricultural research (ITRA)” project, scholarship programs for Togolese students, the training of Togolese officers and joint maritime exercises between the Togolese and Brazilian navies. 7. With regard to economic cooperation, the Togolese Foreign Minister and his Brazilian counterpart discussed the need to organize economic missions by Togolese and Brazilian businessmen to their respective countries. The Togolese minister urged the Brazilian government to mobilize Brazilian investors to set up on the Adétikopé industrial platform (PIA). 8. They also agreed on the forthcoming signature of a memorandum of understanding between the Rio Branco Institute of the Ministry of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Togolese Republic for the training of diplomats. 9. Their Excellencies Robert DUSSEY and MAURO VIEIRA discussed security issues in Togo’s northern region, marked by jihadist incursions. The Togolese minister explained to his Brazilian counterpart the multiple efforts of the government and the personal commitment of the Head of State in the fight against this scourge which threatens the stability of the sub-region. 10. For his part, H.E.M. MAURO VIEIRA renewed the solidarity of the Brazilian people with the victims, and reiterated his country’s commitment to accompanying Togo in its fight through multiform support in a spirit of cooperative solidarity. 11. Turning to the preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress, to be held in Lomé from October 29 to November 02, 2024, Prof. Robert DUSSEY took the opportunity to invite Brazil to take an active part in the event, given its strong Afro-descendant community. 12. The head of Brazilian diplomacy praised the efforts of the Togolese government in its policy of uniting Africans and Afro-descendants throughout the world. He also welcomed Brazil’s choice to host the regional preparatory conference for the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled for August 2024 in Salvador de Bahia, and reassured the Brazilian government of its readiness to support Togo in organizing this major event. 13. At the international level, the two personalities congratulated Togo on its tireless efforts to promote peace and security in the West African sub-region through the use of peaceful means, namely dialogue, consultation and mediation. 14. The two parties also expressed their concerns about other conflicts in the world, notably the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, etc. 15. At the end of his visit, H.E.M. MAURO VIEIRA, Minister of State for External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, expressed his gratitude to the Togolese authorities for the warm welcome extended to him and for the facilities granted to him and his delegation during their stay. Lomé, July 18, 2024.
Dar-es-Salam regional conference Declaration
We, the participants in the East Africa Regional Conference, held on July 6, 2024, by videoconference, under the chairmanship of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Togo, as a prelude to the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled to take place from 29th October to 2nd November, 2024 in Lomé under the general theme: « Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilizing resources and reinventing itself to act »; Representing our national governments, regional and continental bodies and the African Union Commission; Bearing in mind the various texts adopted by African States relating to the promotion of African cultures and languages, notably the Pan-African Cultural Manifesto of Algiers (1969), the Cultural Charter for Africa (1976), the Declaration on the Cultural Aspects in the Lagos Plan of Action (1985), the draft Charter for the Promotion of African Languages in Education developed in Accra (1996), the Harare Declaration (1997), the Nairobi Plan of Action for Cultural Industries in Africa (2005), the Language Plan of Action for Africa (2006) and the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance (2006); Bearing also in mind the Agenda of the « 2021-2031 Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora » of the African Union (AU) and its Plan of Action supported by the High Committee in charge of the Decade; Considering the need to promote African cultural heritage and the importance of culture and education in the development of human person and sustainable development; Recalling the fundamental value of culture and education in the expression and affirmation of African and Pan-African identity; Underlining the need to decolonize minds and imaginations on the continent through the training of elites and executives whose profiles and skills are in line with the current and future needs of Africa; Reaffirming that the people of Africa are essentially Africanophone due to the preponderance of African languages in their daily interactions; Considering that it is imperative to promote African languages which constitute real vectors for strengthening links between the peoples of Africa and African integration; Aware that the African cultural heritage extends beyond the geographical limits of the continent, particularly towards Latin America and the Caribbean, and that the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé will strengthen cultural ties between Africa, the African diasporas and Afro-descendants; Bearing in mind the Decision CM/Dec.613 (LXXIV) of July 2001 of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on the creation of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) and the importance of its mission as a specialized institution responsible for the valorization and promotion of African languages for the benefit of integration and African renaissance; Recalling the Resolution No. 16 of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1986, on the adoption of Kiswahili as one of the working languages of the continental institution; Welcoming the creation of regional centres for the promotion of African cultures and languages such as the Centre for Linguistic and Historical Studies by Oral Tradition (CELHTO), the African Cultural Institute (ICA), the International Centre of Bantu Civilizations (CICIBA), the East African Centre for Research on Oral Traditions and African National Languages (EACROTANAL) and the International Centre for Research and Documentation on African Traditions and African Languages (CERDOTOLA); Recalling the celebration on January 24 of each year, at the initiative of Togo, of the World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture (JMCA), adopted in 2019 by the 40th session of the General Conference of UNESCO which aims to highlights the cultural richness of the African continent and communities of African descent around the world; Reaffirming firmly the commitment of our governments for the promotion of African languages; Calling on African governments and Pan-African institutions to take concerted and concrete measures to strengthen African integration and cultural cooperation between countries and regions of the continent; Stressing the need to support the role of the AU as a continental institution unifying initiatives for the valorization, promotion and preservation of African cultural identity; Highlighting the relevance of the theme of the Dar-es-Salam Regional Conference on « Africanophony, Cultures, Education and Pan-African identity » and the ideal conditions in which the work took place; The East Africa Regional Preparatory Conference recommends: Dar-es-Salam, 06 July 2024. Declaration of Dar-es-Salam (English version)
Eastern African regional conference of the 9th Pan-African Congress of Lomé 2024
« Africanophony, Cultures, Education and Pan-African Identity » was the theme of the online East Africa regional preparatory conference, a prelude to the 9th Pan-African Congress, organized on July 06, 2024, by the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Togo. Co-chaired by Ambassador MBAROUK Nasor Mbarouk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation representing His Excellency January Yusuf MAKAMBA, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY, whose country, Togo, chairs the High Committee in charge of the Agenda for the Decade of African Roots and Diasporas, the conference was held as part of the preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress which will take place from October 29 to November 2, 2024 in Lomé, under the theme « Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the Reform of Multilateral institutions: Mobilizing Resources and Reinventing Itself to Act ». The conference, in which several ministers, the Vice-President of the African Union Commission Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, and senior African officials took part, is the fifth (5) of six (6) preparatory conferences decided by the High Committee responsible for the agenda of the 2021-2031 Decade of African Roots and African Diasporas. It is being held after those of December 4 and 5, 2023 in South Africa, March 14 and 15, 2024 in Bamako, Mali, 18 April 2024 online by the Kingdom of Morocco, May 24, 2024 online by the Republic of Congo, respectively on the themes « Pan-Africanism, Science, Knowledge and Technologies », « Diasporas, Afro-descendants and Development », « Pan-Africanism and Migration » and « Economic Pan-Africanism and African Emergence ». The online meeting was marked, at its beginning, by the opening speeches of the two chairs, Ambassador MBAROUK Nasor Mbarouk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad. Prof. DUSSEY thanks Minister January Yusuf MAKAMBA for his acceptance to organize the East Africa Regional Pre-congress. He noted that the theme of the Pre-congress has awakened our conscience to formulate strategic and operational recommendations to lay the foundations of an uninhibited Africa which, while remaining open to the diversity of the world, assumes responsibility, it being understood that culture and education are the basis of real development projects. He observed that the African continent is a linguistic treasure. That is why it is important to promote Africanophony which refers to all African peoples, the diaspora and Afro-descendants who speak one or more African languages in their daily life. He congratulated the various African organizations and forums such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and commended their efforts to promote Swahili as one of the national languages, making it one of the 10 most spoken languages in the world with more than 200 million speakers as well as ECOWAS and Regional Economic Community. The minister’s statements were followed by the interventions of representatives of East African States who noted the importance of education, culture and Pan-African Identity and shared their national experiences on the useof local language in education. The plenary session was marked by the presentation of the Executive Director of the Academy of African Languages (ACALAN). At the end of the debate, the Dar-es-Salam Declaration was adopted by the participating States. The closing session was marked by the intervention of the two chairs who both thanked the participants for their presence and their significant contributions. Minister DUSSEY informed the participants that the last remaining pre-congresses will be held in Bahia in Brazil from August 29 to 31, 2024 on behalf of the Diaspora region on the theme « Memories, restitutions, reparations and reconstructions » and invited all the participants in Lomé from October 29 to November 2, 2024 for the 9th Pan-African Congress.
Visa exemption agreement between Togo and Sao Tome and Principe.
On 18 June 2024, the signing ceremony of the agreement between the government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the Togolese Republic on reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and ordinary passports took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Living Abroad. This agreement marks the determination of the governments of the two countries, under the authority of their Excellencies Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE and Carlos Vila Nova, to strengthen the ties of cooperation and friendship in the interests of their respective peoples. Under the agreement signed today, holders of all types of passports will be able to travel to both countries without a visa for stays of up to ninety (90) days. The sealing of this agreement by their Excellencies Professor Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo, and Dr Gareth Haddad do Espiritu Santo Guadalupe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of Sao Tome and Principe, will enable the populations of both countries to intensify exchanges in the economic and tourism fields. On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, the two ministers discussed issues of common interest to the people of Sao Tome and Principe. They discussed the need to strengthen their cooperation in economic and trade matters, as well as in the fight against maritime piracy. They also discussed issues relating to peace and security in Africa and the rest of the world, and called for a synergy of action between States to curb the scourges of terrorism and violent extremism. Lastly, they discussed the holding of the 9th Pan-African Congress, to be held from 29 October to 02 November 2024 in Lomé, on the theme “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilising resources and reinventing ourselves to act”, co-organised by Togo and the African Union, and called for synergy of action in the preparations for its success. Lomé, 18 June 2024.
YOUTH PARTICIPATION AT THE 9TH PAN-AFRICAN CONGRESS OF LOME 2024 : Final list of selected candidates
As part of the process leading up to the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled to take place from 29 October to 2 November 2024 in Lomé, Togo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad launched a call for applications on 23 January 2024 for the selection of twenty (20) young people from Africa, the African Diaspora and communities of African descent around the world. At the end of the selection process, the young people whose names appear in the table below will be selected to take part in the 9th Pan-African Congress of Lomé on the general theme “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilising resources and reinventing itself for action”. The young people selected come from West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, the Diaspora and Afrodescendant communities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and the Togolese Abroad congratulates the selected candidates and thanks the other candidates for their obvious interest in pan-Africanism, the African renaissance and the issue of the reform of multilateral international cooperation institutions with a view to improving Africa’s representation in global governance.
Congo regional conference declaration
We, the participants of the Central Africa Regional Preparatory Conference, gathered on May 24, 2024, by videoconference, around the theme « Economic Pan-Africanism and African emergence », Representing our national Governments, regional and continental bodies, Emphasizing on the importance of the issues and challenges of economic Pan-Africanism and African emergence, Recognizing the need to eliminate tariff barriers, promote intra-African trade, diversify the economy in Africa and strengthen regional and continental integration, by accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Recalling the importance and necessity of the economic development of the African continent supported by Agenda 2063 of the African Union and aiming at a united, prosperous and integrated Africa, Conscious of the urgent need for better structuring and coordination of programs and projects linked to the economic integration of the African continent to promote their adequate implementation for the benefit of our populations, Calling on African Governments and Pan-African institutions to take concerted measures to promote integration and economic cooperation between African countries and African regions, The Preparatory Conference of the Central Africa Region recommends: Brazzaville, May 24, 2024 Declaration of Brazzaville (English version) Declaration of Brazzaville (French version)
Central African regional conference of the 9th Pan-African Congress of Lomé 2024
The Central Africa regional preparatory conference, a prelude to the 9th Pan-African Congress, organized by the Republic of Congo and the Togolese Republic under the theme « Economic Pan-Africanism and African Emergence », was held online on May 24, 2024. Co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Congolese Abroad, H.E. M. Jean-Marie GAKOSSO, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY, whose country, Togo, chairs the High Committee in charge of the Agenda for the Decade of African Roots and Diasporas, the conference, in virtual format, was held as part of the preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress which will take place from October 29 to November 2, 2024 in Lomé, under the theme « Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the Reform of Multilateral institutions: Mobilizing Resources and Reinventing Itself to Act ». The conference, in which several ministers and senior African officials took part, is the fourth of six (6) preparatory conferences decided by the High Committee responsible for the agenda of the 2021-2031 Decade of African Roots and African Diasporas. It is being held after those of December 4 and 5, 2023 in South Africa, March 14 and 15, 2024 in Bamako, Mali, and 18 April 2024 online by the Kingdom of Morocco respectively on the themes « Pan-Africanism, Science, Knowledge and Technologies », « Diasporas, Afro-descendants and Development » and «Pan-Africanism and Migration». The online meeting was marked, at its beginning, by the opening speeches of the two co-presidents, H.E. Jean-Claude GAKOSSO, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Congolese Abroad and Prof. Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad. Minister GAKOSSO, after having highlighted the objectives of the pre-congress and made the history of Pan-Africanism, recalled the important role played by African tenors, notably former President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, resolved craftsman of Pan-Africanism whose actions had been materialized by audacity, solidarity and reconciliation of Africa with its values. Prof. DUSSEY, following his counterpart of Congo expressed, on behalf H.E. M. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Republic of Togo, his thanks to H.E. M. Denis SASSOU NGUESSO, President of the Republic of Congo, the Congolese Government and People for the organization of the Central Africa regional preparatory meeting. He was delighted with the relevance of the theme because of its challenges and prospects regarding the continent’s difficulties in integrating into the world economy, stressing that pre-congress is held on the eve of Africa Day commemorated by African Union on May 25 of each year. For the head of Togolese diplomacy, the expectations of the continent are great and the reflections around the theme make it possible to understand and analyze the opportunities and experiences of the sons and daughters of the continent with a view to the strengthening of the economic recovery of Africa. The minister’s statements were followed by the interventions of representatives of Central Africa States (Angola, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad) who noted the importance of economic Pan-Africanism in African emergence and shared their national experiences on the theme. The plenary session was marked by the presentation of the representative of the President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). He noted the various elements that make economic Pan-Africanism and African emergence a reality with a view to achieving the objectives of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (UA) in particular the transfers of funds from the diaspora to Africa (95.6 billion dollars), Sub-Saharan investments amounting to more than 88 billion dollars per year and which exceed public development assistance (PDA), the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an instrument that must help propel inter-African exchanges and strengthen the continent economy. The other plenary sessions planned theme were « African Emergence: currency and innovative financing » and « AfCFTA, economic Pan-Africanism and consolidation of the African emergence ». The debates and the sharing of national experiences made it possible to enrich the work of the pre-congress. At the end of the debates, the Brazzaville declaration was adopted by the participating States. The closing session was marked by the intervention of the two co-presidents who both thank the participants for their presence and their significant contributions. Minister DUSSEY informed the participants that the last two remaining pre-congresses will be held respectively after a month by East Africa on the theme « Africanophony, Cultures, Education and Pan-African identity », and in Bahia in Brazil from August 29 to 31, 2024 on behalf of the Diaspora region on the theme « Memories, restitutions, reparations and reconstructions ». He finally recalled that Lomé was actively preparing to welcome all Africans, the diaspora and the Afrodescendants from October 29 to November 02, 2024, for the 9th Pan-African Congress. Declaration of Brazzaville (English version) Declaration of Brazzaville (French version)
Togo celebrates African Integration Day
In the run-up to the 9th Pan-African Congress to be held in Lomé from 29 October to 02 November 2024, Togo has decided to celebrate African integration throughout the month of May with the African communities living in Togo. Usually celebrated every 25 May, the 2024 edition of African Integration Day was celebrated in Togo on 08 May on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Living Abroad. Several activities took place on this day dedicated to Africa. These ranged from traditional dance steps performed by sister communities from #RCA, #RDCongo, #Congo, #Gabon, #Mali, #Niger, #BurkinaFaso, #CôtedIvoire, #Egypt, #Libya to presentations of local products and tastings of various dishes concocted by these same communities for the guests present around Prof. Robert Dussey.
Rabat regional conference declaration
WE, the participants in the North Africa Regional Conference, held in virtual format on 18th April 2024, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Togo, as a prelude to the 9th Pan-African Congress, scheduled to take place from 29th October to 2nd November 2024 in Lomé, under the theme “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions: mobilising resources and reinventing itself for action”; REPRESENTING our national governments, local and regional bodies and civil society organisations; RECOGNISING the strong role and commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as Champion of the African Union on the issue of migration, in the development and implementation of the African Agenda on Migration, putting forward a new vision for the management of African migration and governance in Africa; WELCOMING the efforts made and the work carried out by the Republic of Togo and the High Committee in charge of the Agenda of the Decade 2021-2031 of Roots and African Diaspora aimed at supporting African diasporas in a logic of co-development and shared growth; WELCOMING also the relevance of the theme “Pan-Africanism and Migration” of this regional conference in Rabat and the excellent conditions in which the proceedings took place; WELCOMING the current revival and renewed interest in a renewed pan-Africanism, which will help further federate the initiatives of African countries and other stakeholders and mobilise them around noble and common causes; STRESSING the need to strengthen cooperation, integration and unity of action on the African continent in order to promote better governance of migration; RECALLING the importance for African countries to align their national migration management strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 of the African Union; EMPHASISING the importance of strengthening the role of the Regional Economic Communities as central pivots for the actions of the African Diaspora on the continent; REAFFIRMING the important role of the African Union in the orderly and coordinated management of migration by establishing a number of mechanisms, including the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) and its Action Plan 2018-2030; RECOGNIZING the progress made at global level since the adoption, in Marrakesh on 10 December 2018, of the “Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration” (GPM), as well as by the United Nations General Assembly on 19th December 2018, and intended to cover international migration in all its dimensions through a global and comprehensive approach; RECALLING the achievements and progress made in African cooperation on migration management, and reaffirming our commitment to contribute to global discussions with a view to finding appropriate solutions to the challenges posed by migration, tailored to the specific characteristics of the African continent; RECOGNISING the need to strengthen relations between the African Diaspora and the continent with a view to involving Africans abroad and Afro-descendants more closely in the quest for prosperity and economic and social development; EMPHASISING the need to develop and implement more programmes and projects offering the Diaspora and Afro-descendants more chances and opportunities on the continent; AWARE of the contribution of the diaspora and Afro-descendants in promoting the African continent abroad and of the importance of bringing about a profound change in the narrative about African diasporas; IDENTIFYING the root causes and opportunities of migration and the need to invest more in the development of the African continent; AGREE on the following conclusions and recommendations: 1- REGARDING PAN-AFRICANISM, MIGRATION AND GOVERNANCE WORK in the interests of our continent by encouraging African countries to strengthen their regional cooperation to better manage migratory flows through Regional Economic Communities (RECs); IMPLEMENT harmonised policies and coordination mechanisms for migration and governance ; MOBILISE the ways and means necessary to change the narrative on human mobility and migration; MAINTAIN close contact with the different generations of migrants and Afro-descendants; MOBILISE migrants and Afro-descendants as part of the renewal of pan-Africanism around the issue of reforming multilateral institutions and ensuring that Africa is better represented in global governance; REITERATE the need for the continent to have reliable and verifiable data on migration flows and trends in Africa. CALL, in this regard, on the African Migration Observatory to strengthen the capacity of Member States to collect reliable data and statistics on African migration; ADDRESS the underlying causes that drive African citizens to migrate, targeting poverty, discrimination and displacement due to climate change and natural disasters; COMBAT vulnerability factors and violations of human rights and international law in relation to migration; ENSURE the right to life in the context of migration, while guaranteeing access to essential services and eliminating all forms of discrimination; ENSURE that bilateral and multilateral agreements with partners are consistent with African human values and objectives in terms of migration management and governance; DIVERSIFY and BROADEN the pathways for safe, orderly and regular migration, taking into account the specific needs of vulnerable migrants. 2- REGARDING PAN-AFRICANISM, MIGRATION AND THE DIASPORA RECOGNIZE the substantial contribution of the African Diaspora to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular target 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals; ENCOURAGE the commitment and positive contribution of members of the African Diaspora to the economic, social and cultural development of their countries of origin, by facilitating the transfer of skills, investments and knowledge; PROMOTE investment opportunities for diasporas in their countries of origin and across the continent; ENCOURAGE African countries to draw up national strategic plans for money transfers in receiving countries, with a view to highlighting priority areas for improving the formalisation of transfers; ENCOURAGE the adoption of incentive measures to further promote the contributions of members of the African diaspora to the development of their countries of origin; REAFFIRM the relevance of the Rabat Declaration, resulting from the Forum on Reducing the Costs of Transferring Remittances from the African Diaspora, held in Rabat on 12 January 2023 and CALL FOR: IMPROVEMENT in the communication and collection of strategic data on remittance flows and the characteristics of African markets to inform the actions of decision-makers; PROMOTION of
Northern African regional conference of the 9th Pan-African Congress of Lomé 2024
The North Africa regional preparatory conference, a prelude to the 9th Pan-African Congress, organized by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Togolese Republic under the theme «Pan-Africanism and Migration», was held on April 18, 2024.The conference, in which several ministers and senior African officials took part, is the third of six (6) preparatory conferences decided by the High Committee responsible for the agenda of the 2021-2031 Decade of African Roots and African Diasporas.It is being held after those of December 4 and 5, 2024 in South Africa and March 14 and 15, 2024 in Bamako, Mali, respectively on the themes « Pan-Africanism, Science, Knowledge and Technologies » and « Diasporas, Afro-descendants and Development ». Co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, H.E.M. Nasser BOURITA, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY, whose country, Togo, chairs the High Committee in charge of the Agenda for the Decade of African Roots and Diasporas, the conference, in virtual format, was held as part of the preparations for the 9th Pan-African Congress which will take place from October 29 to November 2, 2024 in Lomé, under the theme « Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the Reform of Multilateral institutions: Mobilizing Resources and Reinventing Itself to Act ». The conference aimed to generate an exchange on the correlation between Pan-Africanism and migration in the context of the North African region and agree on recommendations which will be submitted to the Pan-African Congress in Lomé.The Conference was also the opportunity to examine and debate a set of themes linked to different aspects of migration and modern Pan-Africanism, implemented through South-South cooperation, in particular: Speaking at the opening of the conference, Minister BOURITA indicated that the Kingdom of Morocco is greatly enriched by its “assumed Afro-optimism”, which is reflected by its proactive African policy encompassing various areas of cooperation and its humanist policy in matters of migration.Morocco, he continued, advocated a humanist and united approach by adopting in 2013 a new migration policy based on a participatory approach including various aspects, in particular respect for human rights, compliance with international law, international cooperation and shared responsibility.As symbol of this Afro-optimism, Morocco’s migration policy has enabled the regularization of tens of thousands of migrants in a regional and international context marked by a “characterized shrinkage of the humanitarian space”. In his speech, Prof. DUSSEY mentioned that « born in the diaspora, the momentum for the reappropriation of Pan-Africanism on the scale of continental Africa made against a backdrop of strong commitments from a few states with visionary leadership, including Morocco, is literally and symbolically inseparable…. of the Kingdom which was yesterday but remains today at the heart of Pan-Africanism.” Furthermore, he continued saying that «our identities are multiple and composite. And the one that unites us and always constitutes us and in all places is our common African identity».The Rabat declaration which sanctioned the North Africa regional preparatory conference will be submitted for discussion to the participants of the 9th Congress. ———- Access to the RABAT DECLARATION ON THE NORTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE
