Under the directive of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria's diplomatic corps has significantly intensified its activities across regional and international fronts. Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, recently participated in the Africa-Republic of Korea Partnership Ministerial Meeting in Seoul. He underscored Algeria's steadfast commitment to advancing its strategic partnership with South Korea, a relationship celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year.
Algeria diplomacy Africa Korea partnership
Attaf highlighted Algeria's pride in this "privileged and unique strategic partnership," viewing it as a crucial lever for the broader Africa-Korea partnership. He pointed to initiatives like the establishment of the African Center for Information and Communication Technologies and Advanced Technologies as examples of projects extending beyond bilateral scope to a continental dimension. Algeria expressed its willingness to contribute to the ongoing diversification and expansion of the Africa-Korea partnership.
Assessing the partnership's progress since the 2024 summit, Attaf described it with "satisfaction and ambition," commending the tangible advancements and expressing a desire for further achievements. He emphasized three key aspects: the alignment of the Africa-Korea partnership's objectives with Continental Agenda 2063 priorities; South Korea's commendable support for African-led cooperation mechanisms; and the pragmatic approach of the partnership, evident in projects targeting vital areas such as intra-African trade, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, modern technologies, digitalization, and innovation.
Furthermore, Attaf articulated a strong ambition for the Afro-Korean partnership to facilitate Africa's integration into global technological revolutions, including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, robotics, nanotechnology, and renewable energies. He stressed the critical need to prevent Africa from being marginalized in these advancements, drawing parallels to historical industrial and information revolutions where the continent faced disadvantages due to colonialism.
In line with presidential directives, Algeria has actively championed just causes in Africa and the Arab world, while also engaging in conflict resolution globally. This includes convening urgent meetings on situations in Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Colombia. Algeria's efforts have been particularly impactful concerning Palestine, with multiple emergency meetings focused on consolidating the Gaza ceasefire, addressing UNRWA's challenges, and the plight of children in the enclave. These initiatives have aimed to alleviate distress and restore hope.
Algeria's diplomatic endeavors have also yielded significant results in Libya, leading to an "historic agreement" that allows the Libyan Investment Authority to reinvest frozen assets and mandates the Sanctions Committee to inform Libyan authorities about all correspondence related to these assets. For Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Lebanon, Algerian delegations have successfully advocated for support of political processes within these nations, promoting an era free from foreign interference.
Beyond conflict resolution, Algeria has initiated key meetings on critical challenges facing Africa and the Arab world, including counter-terrorism efforts and reforms of the international system. A high-level UN Security Council meeting on counter-terrorism in Africa, presided over by Minister Attaf, saw African ministers unanimously praise Algeria's approach, which addresses both the manifestations and root causes of terrorism, alongside development and security aspects. Attendees expressed gratitude to President Tebboune for his role in unifying continental counter-terrorism strategies.
Discussions on strengthening cooperation between the Arab League and the UN highlighted the urgency of coordinated diplomatic action for peace and prosperity in the Arab region. The meeting emphasized that excluding this crucial relationship from regional peace equations would exacerbate tensions, underscoring the complementary nature of this cooperation as a cornerstone of multilateralism.
In its commitment to just causes, Algeria has vigorously championed the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence. Despite attempts by the Moroccan regime to downplay diplomatic gains and influence foreign powers, Algeria has consistently reiterated its unwavering support for the Sahrawi cause. Through its diplomatic weight, particularly during its non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council, Algeria has ensured the Sahrawi issue remains a focus on the international agenda.
Algeria played a pivotal role in advocating for crucial amendments to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 concerning the renewal of MINURSO's mandate. These amendments reaffirmed the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, balancing the resolution to align more closely with international law and prior Security Council resolutions, countering Moroccan efforts to push its autonomy plan. Minister Attaf clarified that the Security Council has not adopted Moroccan theses on Western Sahara, and the issue remains under UN purview across various bodies, including the General Assembly and the C-24 Committee. He emphasized that the adopted resolution preserved the fundamental elements for a solution, upholding the legitimacy of a self-determination referendum in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
Through its principled stance, Algeria has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to defending just causes, notably the Palestinian and Sahrawi issues, in international forums, reinforcing its role as a respected diplomatic actor.
Related topics: Algeria diplomacy, Ahmed Attaf, Africa-Korea partnership, UN Security Council, Western Sahara, Palestinian cause
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