The 4th Africa-Arab Summit will commence on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The summit, which will be attended by Heads of State and Government from Gulf and African countries, will be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Among the many issues to be discussed at the gathering is to endorse the Malabo Declaration and Action Working Plan for 2017-2019 to promote trade and economic ties.
The two-year plan seeks to implement priority projects in trade, investment, transportation, communication and energy in Africa.
Responding to queries on why President Buhari will have to attend the summit, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, mentioned two cogent reasons the Nigerian President will have to be there.
He said:
1. In Malabo, President Buhari is expected to hold discussions with Arab leaders, aimed at reviewing agreements to strengthen partnerships that bolster agriculture and infrastructure development in Nigeria through long term concessionary loans and technological skills transfer.
2. President Buhari will also explore the opportunity of the summit to seek support for the ongoing fight against Boko Haram and the humanitarian situation in the North east.
The Africa-Arab Summit is jointly organised by the African Union Commission and the League of Arab States, to focus on promoting development by strengthening trade, investments, transport, communication and energy among Gulf and African states.
