African Union, S. Korea to hold cooperation conference next week

Senior officials and business leaders of major African countries will gather in South Korea next week to discuss cooperation and joint business opportunities, the foreign ministry said Saturday.

South Korea and the African Union (AU) will jointly hold the Korea Africa Economic Cooperation Conference (KOAFEC) in Seoul from Oct. 15-18, bringing 150 ministers and heads of 18 African nations and international organizations, the ministry said.

"Africa is the last growth engine of the world economy, which has unlimited growth potential," Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said in a letter of invitation. "This forum is expected to provide a good opportunity (for South Korea) to strengthen ties with Africa."

The participants will discuss development cooperation, trade investment and global security issues. On the last day, they will announce a joint declaration and action plans, which will include Seoul's expansion of official development assistance in African nations and the establishment of a technology training center at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia, according to officials. 

During the three-day event, African government officials and economic leaders will have senior-level meetings, hold forums, and tour South Korea's leading companies and factories, the ministry said.

The conference, the third such forum, was launched by the former President Roh Moo-hyun during his 2006 Africa trip and has since been held every three years.

(Yonhap News)