India, African Union postpone key summits amid Ebola concerns
The key meetings were scheduled from 28 May to 1 June.
India and the African Union on Thursday (21 May) decided to postpone two of their key meetings scheduled from 28 May to 1 June due to the "evolving health situation in parts of Africa", the Indian government said, in an apparent reference to the Ebola outbreak.
The decision was made in recognition of "the importance of ensuring the full participation and engagement of African leaders and stakeholders, while remaining mindful of the emerging public health situation on the continent," according to a joint statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the African Union.
After discussing the "evolving health situation", India and the AU agreed that it would be "advisable" to hold the summit at a later date, the ministry said. It did not elaborate on the health concerns.
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Soon afterwards, the Indian Environment Ministry said in a statement that the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 1 June, had been rescheduled following the decision taken in consultation with the chairperson of the African Union and the African Union Commission to convene the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date.
The Environment Ministry said the IBCA summit was to be organised in conjunction with the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, as several African countries host big cats and are important partners in global efforts towards conservation, ecological sustainability and biodiversity protection.
It has also been decided that, in order to ensure broad and active participation from all range countries, including African nations, the first IBCA Summit will also be convened at a later date, the Environment Ministry added.
