emirates7 - At a recent TRENDS symposium, researchers and experts emphasized the need to strengthen environmental and business governance in Africa, viewing it as crucial for attracting the investments necessary to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure across the continent.
The event, organized by TRENDS Research & Advisory, a Diamond Sponsor of the Brazil-Africa Forum 2024, in partnership with Aletihad News Centre as the media partner, was titled “Sustainable Prosperity: A Governance Approach to Boosting Investment in African Infrastructure.” Speakers at the symposium discussed various governance and infrastructure investment issues, including the significance of transparency, accountability, institutional capacity-building, legislative development, and enhanced public-private partnerships. They also highlighted the potential of renewable energy and digital infrastructure as key drivers of economic growth in Africa.
Speakers, including Maisoon Al Dah, Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Brazil, acknowledged the UAE's role in supporting infrastructure investments in Africa. They commended the UAE's successful public-private partnership model, suggesting it could offer valuable expertise to aid African nations' efforts in this area.
The symposium's recommendations included the need for greater cooperation between African countries and international institutions to provide essential financial and technological support for infrastructure projects. It also stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing among African nations and learning from successful global models. Strengthening public-private partnerships, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, promoting transparency, and combating corruption were also underscored as priorities.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, noted that the organization's current tour in Africa aims to explore opportunities for research cooperation with think tanks and academic institutions in this critical region. He identified investment in infrastructure as one of the most pressing challenges for Africa and other developing countries.
In his keynote address, Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, emphasized the need for a comprehensive, sustainable approach to infrastructure development that addresses current needs while anticipating future challenges and opportunities, particularly in the context of climate change, pandemics, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and cybersecurity.
Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Centre, added that infrastructure investment is key to achieving sustainable development and prosperity across Africa. Despite the continent's vast potential, he pointed out that the sector still faces significant funding shortages due to political instability, lack of accurate data, and risks linked to investing in emerging markets.
Former World Bank Vice President Professor Otaviano Canuto presented a research paper on governance and economic resilience in Africa. He stressed that enhancing governance standards is essential for ensuring that the continent's abundant natural resources benefit rather than hinder its development. He explained that sound governance is vital for attracting private investment, which in turn fuels economic and social development.
The symposium concluded with a presentation by Paulo Gomes, Chairman of the Africa-Southeast Asia Chamber of Commerce, titled "From Governance to Sustainability." Gomes warned of the challenges in achieving sustainable development goals in the region, citing climate change and water scarcity as key concerns.
The event, organized by TRENDS Research & Advisory, a Diamond Sponsor of the Brazil-Africa Forum 2024, in partnership with Aletihad News Centre as the media partner, was titled “Sustainable Prosperity: A Governance Approach to Boosting Investment in African Infrastructure.” Speakers at the symposium discussed various governance and infrastructure investment issues, including the significance of transparency, accountability, institutional capacity-building, legislative development, and enhanced public-private partnerships. They also highlighted the potential of renewable energy and digital infrastructure as key drivers of economic growth in Africa.
Speakers, including Maisoon Al Dah, Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Brazil, acknowledged the UAE's role in supporting infrastructure investments in Africa. They commended the UAE's successful public-private partnership model, suggesting it could offer valuable expertise to aid African nations' efforts in this area.
The symposium's recommendations included the need for greater cooperation between African countries and international institutions to provide essential financial and technological support for infrastructure projects. It also stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing among African nations and learning from successful global models. Strengthening public-private partnerships, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, promoting transparency, and combating corruption were also underscored as priorities.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, noted that the organization's current tour in Africa aims to explore opportunities for research cooperation with think tanks and academic institutions in this critical region. He identified investment in infrastructure as one of the most pressing challenges for Africa and other developing countries.
In his keynote address, Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, emphasized the need for a comprehensive, sustainable approach to infrastructure development that addresses current needs while anticipating future challenges and opportunities, particularly in the context of climate change, pandemics, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and cybersecurity.
Dr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Centre, added that infrastructure investment is key to achieving sustainable development and prosperity across Africa. Despite the continent's vast potential, he pointed out that the sector still faces significant funding shortages due to political instability, lack of accurate data, and risks linked to investing in emerging markets.
Former World Bank Vice President Professor Otaviano Canuto presented a research paper on governance and economic resilience in Africa. He stressed that enhancing governance standards is essential for ensuring that the continent's abundant natural resources benefit rather than hinder its development. He explained that sound governance is vital for attracting private investment, which in turn fuels economic and social development.
The symposium concluded with a presentation by Paulo Gomes, Chairman of the Africa-Southeast Asia Chamber of Commerce, titled "From Governance to Sustainability." Gomes warned of the challenges in achieving sustainable development goals in the region, citing climate change and water scarcity as key concerns.