His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, welcoming Arab and African leaders, said Sunday Kuwait's hosting of the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit stemmed from his country's commitment to boosting bridges of cooperation aimed at a strategic partnership on the ground. His Highness the Amir, marking the November 19-20 Summit, expressed profound delight at Kuwait's hosting of the event, which is being held under the theme "Partners in Development and Investment." "It (the summit) reflects the keenness of both regions on joint commitment and boosts cooperation on all spectrums, particularly political, economic, commercial and cultural," he added. "Complicated circumstances and swift developments - especially on the economy - the world is witnessing, have forced Arab and African nations to come closer and form a solid base for cooperation aimed at achieving their joint interests," he said. His Highness the Amir also expressed confidence the event would be successful in achieving aspired goals of the people of both regions. The leader of Kuwait was echoed by the government which, during its meeting at Bayan Palace and chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, hoped the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit would achieve "positive results" that would improve well-being of the Arab and African people. The government, in a statement, said the two-day summit reflected His Highness the Amir's keenness on "activating the Arab-African cooperation." His Highness Sheikh Sabah is also keen on exploring new horizons of cooperation between the two regions, which reflects "positive civilized interaction for the sake of advancement and prosperity of mankind," added the statement, read by Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah following the weekly cabinet meeting. He noted that the cabinet welcomed the guests of His Highness the Amir who already started arriving in Kuwait for the November 19-20 summit. As many as 71 delegations from nations and international organisations would be attending the Summit, including over 34 heads of state, seven deputy leaders and three prime ministers. Arab and African leaders or their representatives have already started arriving in Kuwait for the summit. Foreign Ministers of the African and Arab countries held a preparatory meeting earlier today and approved the draft agenda, Kuwait Declaration and a statement on Palestine. At the opening of the foreign miniserial meeting, Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said the time has come to push forward on joint efforts that serve a bright future for both the Arab and African regions. "Nations today cannot move alone, they require groupings and large regional blocs built on mutual interests and exchanged benefits," he said. Holding the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait aims to build on historical ties shared by both regions, he said, adding that they both have promising potentials. Their geographic proximity of these dynamic regions obliges them both to cooperate with one another, judging their joint historic depth and heritage, he added. "Both regions together form 18 percent of the world's population, a total of 1.2 billion people. These human resources compared to the average GDP of 4. 25 percent is more than that of the world at three percent," he added. Kuwait aims for the summit to "provide tangible results that reflect positively on the peoples of both regions, respond to the aspirations of the people, raises the development of their countries and creates constructive economic partnerships," he explained. UN reports on Africa revealed a huge gap in infrastructure development, he said, adding this deficit requires the joint international efforts in order to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, goals that Kuwait already met. The pivotal and fundamental role of private businesses, he also stressed, in the field of human development is a main factor in comprehensive and sustainable development. This is due to what it offers of projects that support construction, growth and job opportunities across vital spectrums. The Kuwaiti minister praised the efforts of experts, academics and civil society organisations at the African-Arab Economic Forum, which concluded on November 12. The forum was organised by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and resulted in recommendations in the fields of development, the economy and investment. "Kuwait is committed to openness, and human and civil contact with the nations of the world. It also remains faithful to its message of friendship and good deeds in the promise of a safe and prosperous world," he said. Others speakers also addressed the foreign ministerial meeting. Mauritanian Foreign Minister and Deputy Chair of the Executive Bureau of the African Union Ahmed Ould Teguedi, called for exerting of efforts to achieve economic integration, boost trade between the Arab and African regions. Secretary General of the Arab League Dr. Nabil Al-Araby, for his part, commended His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for hosting the Summit, and the State of Kuwait for the comprehensive preparations for the high-level meeting. He said the meetings held since the 2010 Libya summit at the government and private sectors' levels contributed to enhancing partnership between the two regions. "We aim at establishing a modern partnership based on mutual interests," said Al-Araby. The Arab league Secretariat and the African Union Commission (AUC), he said, supported the struggle of the Palestinian people in their right to establish their independent state and in the fight against occupation. Al-Araby said the Arab world was still seeking to establish an area free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and nuclear arms. Al-Araby said the Arab-African Economic Forum that was held in Kuwait last week touched upon economic and investment opportunities as well as achieving food security. Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that the Africa-Arab Summit was held amidst changing circumstances in the Arab and African regions. Zuma said Africa was witnessing a shift in the economic growth and a decrease in conflicts, and an improvement in governance. Zuma said that progress has been made in human development indicators, noting that the average age rose from 40 to 60 years in addition to declining infant mortality rate by 50 percent as well as a rise in the number of children who attend school. Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammad Abdulaziz said the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit was held amidst "accelerated developments which require active parnterships." He said openness of Kuwait under leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the country's hosting of international meetings, "indicate that Kuwait attaches great importance not only for the strengthening of democracy but extends its hands to many areas in the world to contribute to development projects benefiting many spectra of society." The Arab and African governments should honor aspirations of their peoples on the basis of equality, respect, mutual interest, understanding and trust, he said. Foreign Minister of Gabon Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, whose country was the co-chair of the 2nd Africa-Arab Summit, commended Kuwait's commitment to strong relations between the Arab and African regions, which would further activate the dynamic partnership between the two sides. He noted that there has been "a big progress" in relations and cooperation since the 2nd Summit that was held in Libya in 2010. "It is time to advance on food security and industry," said Issoze-Ngondet, calling for providing the necessary funding for investment projects in the Arab and African regions. The Foreign Minister, meanwhile, expressed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that would "live within secure and stable borders," and voiced backing to the declaration about Palestine that would be issued by the Summit. Meanwhile, the UN commended Kuwait's hosting of the summit which proved its "international inclinations and its status as a very important international partner." Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, in an exclusive interview with KUNA, said "the fact that Kuwait is now the host of this Summit - as well as other upcoming major Summits and Conferences - is a sign of its international role as a solid UN member that contributes to regional and international cooperation." Eliasson, who will represent Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the two-day Summit, noted that Kuwait was scheduled to host the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit next month, the International Donor Conference for Syria in January 2014 and the Arab League Summit in March 2014. The UN senior official, who would arrive in Kuwait on Monday, expressed hope that the Summit would be a "unique opportunity" for him to discuss with Arab and African leaders, not only the issues on the gathering's agenda - economy, development and investment - but also other issues of common concern, including the situation in Syria. On the humanitarian situation in Syria and in reference to the Donor Conference scheduled to be held in Kuwait next January, he said "we look forward to another meeting under Kuwait's leadership and we appreciate that very much. "We at the UN are deeply grateful to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for hosting the first Donor Conference last January where Kuwait's contribution was very substantial and important." He was referring to the USD 300 million contribution to the alleviate suffering of the Syrian people. Eliasson described the Summit as "significant" because it "symbolizes the importance of the relationship between the Arab world and Africa," noting that nine countries are already members of both groups. "This is a sign of how close the two groups are." On the economic aspect of the Summit, Eliasson pointed out that recent geopolitical and geo-economic trends focus on the importance of the growing South-South cooperation. Eliasson said that despite great progress in the African Continent regarding the decreasing number of people living in extreme poverty, "we are also seeing growing inequalities between nations and inside nations, and this is what we need to deal with in the next phase. This is a huge challenge. "Progress does not come automatically; it comes with ambitious policies, lack of corruption, caring for stability. It is the responsibility of every government to set that direction for the welfare of the people," he stressed. He hoped that the Summit will help countries in both the Arab and African groups meet the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, and that close cooperation among the members will speed up the implementation. The Goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality rates, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases and ensuring environmental sustainability. On the other hand, Senegal highly appreciates the initiative of His Highness the Amir in hosting the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit, which stemmed from His Highness Sheikh Sabah's "wisdom and insightful vision" in bringing the Arab world and Africa closer. Senegals's Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) holding this summit in Kuwait also reflected His Highness the Amir's desire to help the peoples of Africa and to forge closer cooperation in the economic, investment, cultural and social domains. He added that he was pleased to see the summit would focus on economic aspects because it would help the two sides initiatite stronger partnerships in the economic, trade and investment spheres. Ndiaye added that the November 19-20 summit would be very important for Senegal, its president and people as his country was also eager to share cultures, values and mutual cooperation with the Arab countries. He recalled his recent visit to Kuwait along with President Macky Sall when they attended the joint Senegalese-Kuwaiti Joint Commission which tackled ways to forge stronger partnerships between the two countries. "Kuwait playes a key role in bridging the gap between the Arab countries and Africa, thanks to His Highness the Amir's wisdom and far-sighted vision which has always contributed to the achievement of welfare to peoples of the world," Ndiaye noted. He thanked the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) which has highly contributed to the development of his country. He added that KFAED has also contributed to the national program Senegal is carrying out since the new President Macky Sall assumed office a year and a half ago, saying that Sall is involved in promoting Senegal as a business hub on the regional and international arenas. On the sidelines of the Foreign Ministerial meeting earlier today, KFAED signed a loan agreement with the Republic of Cape Verde whereby KFAED will lend Cape Verde four million Kuwaiti dinars (USD 13.6 million) to improve health services. The loand will be used to finance construction, rehabilitation and equipping of health buildings project, aimed at enhancing development of the health sector in Cape Verde, by improving the quality and efficiency of medical services as well as meeting the increasing needs for the provision of modern medical care. The loan is to be paid back over 25 years with a five-year grace period.