Mutharika arrives in USA for summit
President Peter Mutharika arrived in Washington DC in United States of America (USA) on Saturday to attend the first US-Africa Leaders Summit convened by the US government to further strengthen ties with the continent.
Mutharika and the First Lady Gertrude have joined about 49 other African leaders invited by US President Barak Obama to the summit that will build on the progress made since Obama’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013.
According to information sourced by Malawi News Agency (Mana), the summit seeks to bring Africa and the US closer together economically and politically. Specifically, the 4 to 6 August summit will advance US government focus on trade and investment in Africa, highlight commitment to Africa’s security, Africa’s democratic development and its people.
Traditionally, the US maybe would have invited a few African leaders to the meeting in Washington DC, but this is the first time that almost all leaders of the continent, which is being regarded as one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing regions, have been invited at once.
Malawi Ambassador to the USA Steve Matenje said when he briefed the country’s delegation on Friday that the summit will be the first-ever big event where 50 leaders will converge on Washington DC and as such the US government had intensified security to ensure safety of the delegates.
The theme of the summit is Investing in the Next Generation and will focus on the next generation as the core of every government responsibility and work. It is also expected to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generations.
