PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged African Heads of States to put in place strong strategies that promote the clean cooking energy agenda to address health challenges facing women and reduce environmental degradation.

Addressing the first Korea-Africa Summit here yesterday, she said that these efforts will also help countries to achieve goal number 7(1) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The goal is geared at ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern sustainable energy for all by 2030, she stated, highlighting that South Korea, the 12th largest economy in the world, can genuinely contribute to this quest.

It needs to work to support this agenda, to reduce environmental degradation and protect women and the public in general, the president noted, stressing the need for countries to enhance investments in clean cooking energy technologies.

Unsustainable energy sources have a significant impact on the environment, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and affecting people’s health, the president emphasised.

Under the theme "the future we make together: shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity,” the major diplomatic event has gathered 28 African Heads of State, international organizations, key figures from the Korean and international business communities, academia and non-governmental organizations.

President Samia, a champion of clean cooking energy for women in Africa, said clean and sustainable energy will greatly help reduce deforestation and diseases caused by pollution, an intense cause of discomfort for women.

Investment in clean cooking energy in Africa provides economic opportunities in the various countries, thus she has tapped Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank (AfDB) to assist in working to raise funds for this agenda.

“So I humbly ask the government of the Republic of Korea to join us in this campaign,” the president intoned, underlining that it is a good opportunity for Africa. 

It will help to create an economic partnership with a strong inclination to address imbalances in economic and social development of the various countries, she said.

“It is our expectation that the economic partnership between our countries and the Republic of Korea is feasible and we have gathered here in Seoul with great confidence that this meeting lays the foundation for strengthening economic cooperation and the exchange of technology to spur development of our countries,” she further noted.

It is encouraging that there will be a system to monitor the progress of decisions of the meeting to ensure there are positive outcomes, she said, pointing out that currently Tanzania is working with a Korean company in graphite mining, while it welcomes more investors in strategic minerals.

The meeting is being held 18 years after Korea obtained African Union (AU) observer status, making great strides to transform its economy despite its agricultural economy background and few mineral or other resources.

The meeting ending today shall issue a joint statement of the Head of States, where a notable feature is Korea opening its economy towards Africa.

President Samia and host President Yoon Seok-Yeol signed accords for cooperation in strategic minerals such as nickel, lithium and graphite.

Other sectors covered in the agreement include infrastructure, blue economy, development of natural gas and innovation, to promote the economy, increasing direct and indirect jobs.