Council of Arab Ambassadors in South Africa and AUDA-NEPAD Strengthen Arab–African Development Partnerships
Pretoria – 14 October 2026
The Council of Arab Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of South Africa paid an official visit to the headquarters of the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) on Monday, 12 October 2026, where they held a meeting with Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, and several senior officials. The meeting focused on ways to strengthen Arab–African cooperation and explore opportunities for establishing development and economic partnerships in areas of shared priority.
The visit began with a welcome reception for the Arab diplomatic delegation by the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer and senior officials, followed by a guided tour of AUDA-NEPAD headquarters, during which the ambassadors were briefed on the Agency’s mandate, activities, and development programmes.
Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas delivered a presentation outlining the Agency’s mandate, strategic priorities, and flagship programmes, as well as its role in implementing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting economic and regional integration, and mobilising resources and expertise to support development across the African continent.
The Agency’s directors also presented an overview of the projects and sectors under their respective responsibilities. The presentations included statistics on Africa’s development, the challenges facing the continent, and prospects for joint cooperation on major projects across various sectors, including initiatives involving Arab countries that are members of the African Union.
Ambassador Mahash Saeed Al Hameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps; Ambassador Ahmed Hassan bin Hassan, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen and Acting Chair of the Council for October; and Ambassador Reyad Al-Akbari, Head of the League of Arab States Mission in South Africa, subsequently addressed the meeting, expressing their appreciation for the warm hospitality and the valuable information presented.
An interactive dialogue followed between the Arab ambassadors, the Chief Executive Officer, and senior officials of the Agency. Discussions explored opportunities for cooperation and partnerships in food security and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, trade and investment, digital transformation, education and training, youth skills development and women’s empowerment, alongside the importance of promoting local industrialisation and adding value to Africa’s natural resources.
The speakers highlighted Africa’s immense human potential and abundant natural and mineral resources, noting that the fundamental challenge lies in transforming these assets into productive, industrial and technological capabilities, as well as employment opportunities and knowledge creation. They emphasised the importance of investing in infrastructure, education and technology, while strengthening local industrialisation, value chains and intra-African trade.
The speakers further highlighted that Arab–African relations are rooted in a long history of interaction and solidarity, reinforced by geographical, cultural and human ties, as well as shared interests. They stressed that current international developments call for elevating these relations beyond political solidarity towards broader and more effective economic, developmental and institutional partnerships.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasised the importance of building on the visit by maintaining regular communication and engagement between AUDA-NEPAD, the Council of Arab Ambassadors, the League of Arab States Mission and Arab diplomatic missions accredited to South Africa, while exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of shared priority.
The visit concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photograph of the participants.
Article and photo: Mission of the League of Arab States in South Africa