President William Ruto has lauded South Korea for its commitment to aligning its strategic policies to the African Union’s vision for 2063.
The move, Ruto noted, affirms their shared vision for a prosperous future based on sustainability, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
“The initiative to convene the forum is both timely and commendable,” he said Tuesday in his address during the opening session of the inaugural Korea-Africa summit in Seoul.
Ruto also thanked President Yoon Suk Yeol for convening the forum saying it provides an opportunity for joint deliberations to deepen their ties.
“This gathering is a critical platform for joint deliberation to deepen the ties that bind us,” he said.
It also underscores both the depth and promise of the relationship between Africa and Korea, Ruto added.
According to the head of state, the summit demonstrates a resolve to elevate the relationship and mobilise the political will needed for Africa and Korea to prosper together.
This is through mutually beneficial collaborations, leveraging our complementaries and implementing win-win strategies for transformation based on equal partnership.
The two-day summit bringing together 48 leaders from the African continent is being at the KINTEX in Ilsan, north of Seoul.
It will be followed by a business summit in Seoul on the second day.
Ruto at the same time used the opportunity to highlight the significance of the Korea-Africa Forum and the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation.
He pointed out that it has facilitated progressive diplomatic and economic engagements while accelerating the growth of trade and investment.
"It has also been pivotal in promoting development cooperation which has seen significant achievements in agriculture, healthcare and human resource across Africa realised," he remarked.
Ruto, however, noted that despite these gains, they continue to grapple with various challenges which include escalating debt crisis, low access to development resources in international financial markets and high costs of limited financing.
These challenges including several others, he note, have continued to diminish their capacity to develop but also undermine their investments and achievements.