SA to host World Economic Forum on Africa

South Africa' will host the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town from 10-12 June, it was announced on Monday.

The annual event will this year focus on addressing the global and regional implications of the economic crisis and develop a new roadmap for Africa's future. The launch of the Africa Competitiveness Report 2009 will provide valuable insight for these discussions. Economic deliberations will be closely linked to important social and environmental issues including food security, climate change, healthcare and education.

Faced with the prospect of a prolonged economic slowdown, global leaders are assessing the health and future of their respective economies. The birth of a new era is calling for an overhaul of governance and financial systems and a return to responsible and accountable leadership.

President Jacob Zuma who has been engaged with the World Economic Forum for over a decade, participating in the Annual Meeting in Davos as well as previous Africa and Middle East regional meetings, will be the host of the event.

More than 700 political and social leaders from across Africa will be attending the event and plenary meetings.

The Minara Chamber of Commerce sees this an opportunity for the continent’s leaders to deliberate and find local solutions to the continent’s economic and social challenges.