Highlights from Thursday 11 June

Africa: The World’s Potential Breadbasket?
Despite a host of obstacles – such as a lack of irrigation, inadequate roads and limited access to capital and technology, sub-Saharan Africa has the potential not only to feed its own population but also to become a major food exporter, according to session participants. However, the region’s governments will have to do much more to make this potential a reality.

Session Summary I Webcasts I Photos

Addressing Climate Change: An African Imperative
With the Copenhagen Climate Conference only months away, serious issues related to global climate change remain unresolved – most particularly, the balance that will be struck between efforts to mitigate climate change through the reduction of carbon emissions and programmes designed to help affected countries and populations cope with climate-related disasters such as drought, floods and famine.

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2010 FIFA World Cup kick-starts investment across Africa and countdown begins
Exactly one year before the kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, participants at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2009 are already discussing its legacy, which will resonate not only within South Africa, but also across the entire continent thanks to unprecedented levels of infrastructure investment. Returns on that investment are already visible across South Africa in improved road and air transport facilities, and improvement plans are set to expand across the continent. Already the 2010 event is being hailed as the most successful enterprise—both financially and socially—in the 100-year history of the organization. 

Press Release I Webcasts I Zuma kicks-off at Green Point Stadium I Photos

World’s greatest source of untapped potential
A growing weight of academic research strongly suggests that investing in adolescent girls – by ensuring equal access to education, technology, employment and political participation – is one of the most cost-effective tools for reducing poverty in lesser developed countries. Yet, governments in many countries, as well as the global donor community, have been relatively slow to change their social and budgetary priorities accordingly. In a brief introduction, Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, noted the Forum’s recent efforts to document the progress – or lack of it – in eliminating this aspect of the gender gap.

Session Summary I Webcasts I Photos