Zambia, Zim to co-host AU conference

Meanwhile, the meeting of ministers in charge of mineral resource development came to a close with the Mozambique Prime Minister Alberto Vaquina urging AU member States to work towards domesticating the African Mining Vision (AMV).

Zambia and Zimbabwe were awarded the right to host the extraordinary conference of ministers during the close of the meeting here.

The meeting would be held in the border towns of Livingstone and Victory Falls Town in Zimbabwe on dates to be announced later.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Mr Vaquina said he expected recommendations from the meeting to stimulate Governments, as the policy makers, to ensure wealth creation for their people.

He said having brought critical stakeholders to the meeting, he had no doubt in the useful conclusions that had been made.

“I am glad to note that during the conference, you managed to launch the African Minerals Development Centre which is critical in implementing the AMV,” he said.

AU Commissioner for trade and industry Fatima Haram Acyl called on members to come up with mechanisms to mobilise resources that would ensure smooth operations of the AMDC.

Ms Acyl was happy that the member States were determined to finance their own destiny in ensuring ownership of the AMV.

She said Africa should move in line with the world’s agenda of industrialisation so that it did not lag behind.

“I also want to thank the partners and civil society that have worked with us to ensure that this meeting and other activities have been a success,” she said.

Times of Zambia