@AfDB_Group #AfDBAM2018 afdb.org/am AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP ANNUAL MEETINGS BULLETIN - MAY 21, 2018
without an efficient and productive industrial sector that creates jobs and adds value to our abundant natural resources.
elcome to Busan, where the African Development Bank Group is proud and privileged to hold its Annual Meetings.
W
Accelerating Africa’s industrialization is the theme of the 2018 Annual Meetings. As a Bank, we could not have chosen a better host city than Busan. In just a relatively few decades, Korea has achieved exceptional success as one of the world’s leading industrial and economic powerhouses. It has done this through vision, creativity, ingenuity, fiscal discipline, and a willingness to make hard decisions in order to secure its future.
Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina President, African Development Bank Group
We have a lot to learn from Korea’s experience and its rapid growth. The knowledge events during our meetings are designed around discussions that will help us look at new and creative ways of quickly growing Africa’s industrialization and the infrastructural capacity required to support it.
IN THIS EDITION
There is no realistic alternative to industrialization: Africa’s population is the youngest in the world and our youth need millions of jobs. No country has ever successfully developed
Editorial by Dr. Victor Oladokun, Director of Communication & External Relations p. 3 Guest of the Day: Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary General p. 6
A dynamic industrial base is therefore essential for Africa’s growing young population who must see their future aspirations firmly rooted in a transformed continent. We owe it to them. Accelerated industrialization holds the key to technological, economic, and social development, the creation of higher-skilled jobs, and the development of related value chains across sectors in processing, marketing, distribution, the export of finished goods, and an end to Africa’s decades-old dependence on primary commodity exports. The Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank are one of the largest annual economic gatherings in the region. Governors of the Bank, thousands of delegates, public and private sector stakeholders, development partners, journalists and academics will consider and discuss prospects for Africa’s industrialization – one of the Bank’s High 5 strategic priorities and a prime accelerator for improving the social and economic conditions of Africans. This is the challenge of Busan. With the right policies and regulations, an enabling investor environment, fiscal discipline, and adequate financing, Africa can become an industrial powerhouse and a global centre for trade and manufacturing. The time to start is now.
Spouse Tour Programme
Climbing the industrial development ladder p. 9 In Focus: 10,000 Communities in 1,000 Days p. 10
he Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), and the African Development Bank warmly welcome attendees to the Bank’s 2018 Annual Meetings in Busan. To make your trip to Busan enjoyable and fulfilling, and to give you a unique perspective on Busan, the Bank and BEXCO have organized a series of tours. All tours leave from BEXCO.
T
Korean Etiquette 101 p. 8
Busan Bulletin printed on recycled paper - May 21, 2018
To be continued on p. 3
1