African countries told to use FOCAC Opportunities, Kairuki

Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mbelwa Kairuki delivering a key note address at the youth Forum on China-Africa Youth Exchange Programme on Poverty Reduction and Development  which took place in Beijing, China  on 9th  October, 2017 at Beijin Convetion Centre.

The forum on progress.

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 Ambassador of the United Republic of  Tanzania to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency  Mbelwa Kairuki has urged African countries to cooperate in order to tap into opportunities provided by China under China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which is an official Forum between China and Africa.

This has been addressed during the Youth Forum and 2^nd  China – Africa Youth Exchange Programme on Poverty Reduction and Development which took place in Beijin, China  on 9th October 2017 at Beijing Convention Centre.

Ambassador Kairuki also expressed concern to the fact that Africa spends USD 35 Billion every year importing food from outside the continent while it is endowed with 60 percent of the World's arable land. He called on African governments to work together to implement regional  infrastructure projects that would unleash Africa's economic potential.

The forum was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of China His Excellency WANG Yang. In his remarks Mr. Wang reported remarkable achievements made by China by lifting hundreds of millions or people out of poverty.

The forum was also attended by Mr. Tegegnework Gettu, the United Nations Under-Secretary General and  Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who represented the United Nations Secretary General to the Conference. In his message the United Nations Secretary General cautioned that globalization and technological progress have increased inequalities and left millions of people behind. He underscored that reducing and eradicating poverty is the key to improve lives and realizing the potential of hundreds of millions of people.