According to the AU Monitor, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will participate at the 13th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of State and government of the African Union scheduled to take place in Sirte, Libya, from 1 to 3 July 2009.
Da Silva has been invited as ‘a special guest’ according to the African Union. He will address the opening session of the assembly of heads of State and government and interact with his African colleagues during the Summit. ‘Investing in agriculture for economic growth and food security’ is the theme of the summit, and Brazil has a rich experience in agriculture.
The African Union said the invitation to da Silva is in recognition of the particular attention the Brazilian president has personally given to Brazil’s relationship with Africa, which has led to considerable increase in interaction between Africa and Brazil and has positively impacted on Africa’s relations with the whole of the South American continent. Trade between Africa and Brazil has increased by 415 per cent since 2002 when da Silva assumed the presidency.
Da Silva played an important role in promoting the Africa-South America summit, which first took place in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2006. Brazil has 34 embassies in Africa, 16 of which were established by President Lula. His visit to Sirte will be his 10th trip to Africa during which he has visited some 20 African countries.
