US-Africa Leaders Summit : Multiple Conferences Mark Opening Session

Seven different events characterized the opening of the US-Africa Leaders Summit that started in the capital of the United States of America yesterday 13 December, 2022. Closed to 40 of the 49 African countries invited, including Cameroon, had as Head of State leading their delegation to the event. Of keen interest to Cameroon was the forum where the Head of State made a strong declaration on the importance of US-Africa Civil and Commercial Space. President Paul Biya, in his speech, pointed out the need for partnership between Africa and the US to master such a crucial segment of human space. 
Taking the floor in the presence of other African leaders and American officials, Mr Biya appreciated US space innovation efforts which Africa can benefit from in terms of risk management, digital inclusion, mining exploration, climatic changes, control of maritime resources, meteorological previsions, and a lot more. Having such important aspect, like civil and commercial space management on the agenda of this summit is crucial to the continent and Cameroon logically had to be part of the event, Mr Biya stated. However, while African countries are increasingly including issues of space management and control in their spheres of interest, the cost of investing in such a sector remains an important source of worry, yet its indispensable nature to development makes it determinant to get interested and also because of its innovative and development advantages. The imminent launch of the African Space Agency is indicative of how the Continent is taking the matter at heart and Cameroon being a member of the Regional Organization for Satellite Communication known as RASCOM which is managed by the international Telecommunication Union will certainly continue to play a major part in ensuring that civil and commercial space issues occupy the place they deserve on the global agenda.  
Other discussions that took place at different locations of the Washington Convention Centre were: Civil Society Forum; African Growth and opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade M...