Uganda is ready and willing to host the next World Economic Forum on Africa, president Yoweri Museveni told Prof Klaus Martin Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. The last forum was held in South Africa and it will be an honour to host a meeting of such significance.
The president paid a courtesy call on Prof Klaus Martin Schwab at his offices in Congress Building, Davos, Switzerland on Thursday. The duo discussed a range of issues, including the global push for the 4th industrial revolution, though Museveni insisted that gaps of the 2nd and 3rd revolutions in places like Africa must be plugged for proper development to happen.
Later on Thursday evening, President Museveni was a guest speaker at an interactive panel discussion titled "Peace building in Africa" on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos. The discussion was moderated by Bineta Diop, the Africa Union Chairperson's Special envoy on Women, Peace and Security.
According to Mr. Museveni, besides the traditional political and ideological conflicts Africa has always faced, there is a new but healthier conflict posed by its growing population, which now stands at 1.3 billion people. The bigger concern is the youth segment which is not accommodated by the economies.
“It is these socio-economic issues that we must address while avoiding the usual ideological conflicts. We must therefore address challenges of infrastructure development, electricity, skills etc in order to embrace a new revolution. But even as we do this, we must be on the look-out to avoid being entrapped by those who preach identity (religion, colour, tribes) above interests (prosperity). Some opportunist groups mislead others into believing that identity eclipses interests” the president said.
