20 presidents expected for COMESA summit
AT least 20 heads of state and seven first ladies are expected at the 9th Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit and first COMESA business summit due from Sunday to June 8 at the International Conference Centre.
By Alex Balimwikungu
AT least 20 heads of state and seven first ladies are expected at the 9th Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit and first COMESA business summit due from Sunday to June 8 at the International Conference Centre.
These, along with over 600 invited delegates, private sector practitioners and international observers, will commemorate COMESA’s 10th anniversary, at which president Yoweri Museveni will take the COMESA chairmanship.
He held the post in 1994, as host.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Dr Sam Nahamya, the permanent secretary in the tourism ministry, said 10 heads of state had confirmed participation. the event will comprise two sessions.
“We have confirmed the participation of the presidents of Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, Madagascar and Zambia.
Others are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Swaziland and Burundi.
“We expect all heads of state from the member states, plus the commonwealth secretary general, the deputy chairman of the African Union and the Secretary General of IGAD,†Nahamya said.
The Government has spent sh2.5b to host the event.
He said outgoing COMESA chairman and Sudan President Omar Hassan el-Bashir will give a key note address.
Levi Mwanawasa (Zambia), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Marc Ravalomanana (Madagascar) will present papers on Monday on several economic issues affecting the region.
First ladies from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and Ethiopia are expected to hold their own talks to compare notes on the health sector.
Ends
AT least 20 heads of state and seven first ladies are expected at the 9th Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit and first COMESA business summit due from Sunday to June 8 at the International Conference Centre.
These, along with over 600 invited delegates, private sector practitioners and international observers, will commemorate COMESA’s 10th anniversary, at which president Yoweri Museveni will take the COMESA chairmanship.
He held the post in 1994, as host.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Dr Sam Nahamya, the permanent secretary in the tourism ministry, said 10 heads of state had confirmed participation. the event will comprise two sessions.
“We have confirmed the participation of the presidents of Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, Madagascar and Zambia.
Others are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Swaziland and Burundi.
“We expect all heads of state from the member states, plus the commonwealth secretary general, the deputy chairman of the African Union and the Secretary General of IGAD,†Nahamya said.
The Government has spent sh2.5b to host the event.
He said outgoing COMESA chairman and Sudan President Omar Hassan el-Bashir will give a key note address.
Levi Mwanawasa (Zambia), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Marc Ravalomanana (Madagascar) will present papers on Monday on several economic issues affecting the region.
First ladies from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and Ethiopia are expected to hold their own talks to compare notes on the health sector.
Ends