Kufuor Attends Korea-Africa Forum

Seoul (GHP) - President John Kufuor is in the South Korean capital, Seoul, to attend the first Korea-Africa Forum.

The two-day Forum, which brings together leaders, diplomats and scholars from African countries opens today.

With the theme, "Towards the co-prosperity of Asia and Africa in the 21st century," the annual forum was organized as a follow-up to President Roh Moo-hyun's African tour earlier this year.

While in Nigeria, Roh announced the "Korea's Initiative for Africa's Development," pledging long-term assistance and exchanges with African countries "to support sustainable growth."

The initiative was designed in an attempt to improve South Korea's lackluster overseas development assistance and international contributions.

The Foreign Ministry explained that the forum will act as a consultative body of government officials, scholars and civilians.

The forum brings together five heads of state from Nigeria, Ghana, the Republic of Congo and Tanzania, as well as 24 ministerial-level officials and officials from the African Union, the Pan-African Parliament and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Foreign Minister and U.N. Secretary-general designate Ban Ki-moon will host a welcoming dinner today. The forum, luncheon and state dinner will be held tomorrow. The participants will cap off the program by visiting industrial and cultural sites on Thursday.