By Edmund
Mingle
The
second edition of the Crans Montana Forum (CMF), which is aimed at promoting regional
economic growth, especially in Africa, will be held in Dakhla, Morocco this
month, with a special focus on advancing south-south cooperation in Africa.
King Mohammed VI |
Slated for March
17 to 22, the international forum has the theme, “Africa and south-south
cooperation: towards a better governance for sustainable economic and social
development.”
Being
held under the patronage of the Moroccan leader, His Majesty King Mohammed VI,
the objective of the forum is in line with Morocco’s commitment towards
promoting regional integration through effective socio-economic cooperation
among African States.
The Forum’s mission is
to cross-cutting dialogues and open debates assessing all major projects
leading to a sustainable economic and social development in Africa
Dozens of policy makers, Parliamentarians, employers,
investors, business leaders, as well as Heads of State, heads of international
organizations and civil society groups, from across Africa and other
continents, are expected to participate in the forum which would among other
objectives, discuss and fashion solutions to challenges impeding speedy
south-south cooperation in Africa.
A
delegation of Ghanaian government officials, businessmen and representatives of
civil society groups, would be participating in the forum, which is expected to
yield dividends for the country.
According
to Mrs. Nezha Alaoui M’hammadi, Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, the forum holds
immense benefits since it provides an effective platform for stakeholders to
share ideas in the framework of regional cooperation, and also offers
networking opportunities for Ghanaian businesses.
The forum would also explore opportunities in energy
security, agriculture development and food security, maritime development, public
health, human resource advancement and environmental security, education and
ICT prospects for youth development.
The maritime development segment is considered one of the
keys issues at the forum, due to the fact that a maritime operations has been
identified as a critical factor in Africa’s integration process.
Mrs M'hammadi |
That segment, which has the sub-theme, “Improving the
maritime industry’s global impact on the African economy,” is expected to
identify new prospects for ports development across the continent and how ports
could be effectively linked, with the view of addressing the challenges facing
landlocked countries.
According to the organizers, the forum has been divided into
two parts, with the first part scheduled for the Dakhla Conference Centre,
while the second segment which involves discussions on maritime development,
and Morocco’s interventions towards improved south-south cooperation, would be
held aboard a cruise ship sailing to Casablanca.
Pierre-Emmanuel Quirin, President of the Crans Montana Forum, indicated
in his message to participants that the forum would build on the successes of the 2015
forum held in Morocco on South-south cooperation.
Since 2004, the Crans Montana Forum, a Swiss
non-governmental international organization established in 1986, has been
organising a yearly political and economic forum devoted to Africa and the Arab
World in the framework of the new international economic relations based on the
South-South Cooperation.
The various Forums organized worldwide represent
exceptional opportunities for businesses and governments to implement their
strategies, strengthen relationships with partners and create new ones, and build
cooperation opportunities.
The Forum offers
tailor-made partnerships and opportunities offered through the wide scope of
the events.