26 May 2011: The Second Africa-India Forum adopted two documents: the Addis Ababa Declaration, in which the African Union (AU) and India agree to enhance their partnership to address global challenges; and a Framework for Enhanced Cooperation, which substantiates this commitment. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation ties in economics; science, technology, research and development; social development and capacity building; tourism; and infrastructure, energy and environment, among others.

The meeting took place from 24-25 May 2011, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The resulting Declaration reiterates the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), noting that sustainable development models and unique paths of development in developing countries should be respected, including by guaranteeing the policy space of developing countries. The Declaration urges that aid commitments for developing countries be fulfilled. It also stresses the need for a comprehensive and balanced outcome of the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations, while protecting developing countries’ concerns with regard to livelihood, food security and rural development, in particular with regard to non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) services and rules.

The Framework identifies a number of related areas for enhanced cooperation, including: with regard to health, in the application of advancement in science, technology, research and development to training in the area of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; and in infrastructure, energy and environment, including in renewable energies and sustainable development practices. [AU Press Release] [Addis Ababa Declaration] [Framework for Enhanced Cooperation]