The United Nations Under-Secretary-General Cheick Sidi Diarra will participate in the 2nd Vietnam-Africa International Forum in Hanoi from August 17-19.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General Cheick Sidi Diarra will participate in the 2^nd Vietnam-Africa International Forum in Hanoi from August 17-19.

Diarra, who is also special advisor on Africa and high representative for the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small Island developing states will speak at the opening ceremony on August 17.

The Under-Secretary-General will highlight the increasing dynamic role of South-South Cooperation and the growing relationship between Vietnam and Africa. The latter will also underline the crucial role played by South-South Cooperation for both partners in the pursuance of sustainable development and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, in particular the Millennium Development Goals.

During his stay in Vietnam, Diarra will further hold discussions with a number of senior Vietnamese government officials.

Before being appointed as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Special Adviser on Africa, Diarra, 53, served as the Permanent Representative of Mali to the UN in New York.

The first Vietnam-Africa International Forum was held in May 2003. This year’s theme is “Vietnam-Africa: Cooperation for Sustainable Development”.

PV