Denmark hosts Nordic-African Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The Nordic-African Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (NAFM) was first held in Stockholm in 2001 and has since taken place 21 times. NAFM aims to strengthen cooperation between the Nordic and African countries on foreign policy and global issues.

The timing of the meeting coincides with the Danish Government’s current efforts to formulate a plan for a more strategic approach to cooperation with the African countries. From the Danish side, the meeting will also be an opportunity to gather ideas and input for that effort.

“With nearly a third of the votes in the UN and a rapidly growing young population, it is no wonder that Africa’s international relevance is only increasing. If we are to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time, it requires that we strengthen our cooperation with the African countries. We must do this based on the needs and wishes expressed by our African partners, and that is why I am meeting with a number of African colleagues during these days,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Many African countries have expressed a desire that NAFM focus more on promoting trade and investment between the African and Nordic countries. Therefore, as a new addition to the meeting, Denmark has prepared a full-day programme for African and Nordic businesses.

“Increased trade and investment is one of the keys to creating equal partnerships. And there is good opportunity for that on the African continent, which has some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Here, Danish companies must show that they can offer some of the world’s best solutions in sectors such as food production and the green transition. This will both benefit the Danish economy and create local jobs,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

For more information, contact Press Advisor Kristoffer Jonsson, tel. (+45) 3043 6749 / krijoo@um.dk