Resolution on Strengthening Relations Between African and Asian Countries and Organizations

CM/Res.1630 (LXIII)

RESOLUTION ON STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN AFRICAN AND ASIAN COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting at the Sixty-Third Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26 to 28 February 1996,

Recalling the Declaration adopted by the Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, from 9 to 11 July 1990 on "The political and socio- economic situation in Africa and the fundamental changes taking place in the World",

Recalling also that the African and Asian countries have maintained close cooperation over several decades within the framework of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 and other similar organizations,

Noting that Afro-Asian Cooperation which has an aspect of South-South Cooperation has benefited the countries of the two continents, particularly in the cultural and social fields,

Taking into account the impact of the end of the Cold War and current trends and developments in the global economic relations, including. the establishment of. the World Trade Organization and the emergence of various world economic trading groupings which have serious implications for Member States,

Cognizant of the advances made by Asian countries in the economic, trade, industrial, technological and other fields,

Taking into account the efforts, currently being deployed by the African countries on the issue of economic integration within the context of the African Economic Community,

Convinced of the benefits to be derived from Afro-Asian cooperation and of the need to revive that cooperation between African and Asian countries and organizations:

1. TAYES NOTE of on-going efforts to enhance and strengthen economic cooperation between African and Asian countries;

2. DECIDES to invigorate cooperation relations between African and Asian countries and organizations, especially the OAU, AEC, ASEAN, SARCC and APEC;

3. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to examine the ways and means of enhancing Afro-Asian cooperation, particularly in the economic fields and submit an interim report to the 64th Ordinary