PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda arrived on Margarita Island in Venezuela to attend the second summit of Heads of State and government of Africa and South America (ASA) last night.

The plane carrying Mr Banda touched down at Margarita Island Airport at 17:40 hours local time (23:40 hours Zambian time).

The president, who was accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, was received at the airport by Venezuela’s Vice-President Raman Carrizates, Minister for Public Infrastructure, Diesdado Cabello and Security Minister, Tareck El Aissami.

Communications and Transport Permanent Secretary, Dominic Sichinga and other Zambian Government officials were also on hand to receive the president.

Mr Banda later inspected a guard of honour mounted for him.
The Zambian leader is among 51 African and 11 South American Heads of State and government attending the summit at the Hilton Hotel.

Others at the summit include secretary general of the Economic Community of West African States, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, League of Arab Nations, African Union and the Union of South American Nations.

The summit aims to boost the cooperation of the participating countries facing food, financial, and environmental crises.

The meeting was also expected to strengthen agreements and plans of action started in 2006 at the first summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

The summit expected to close this afternoon is being held under the theme, ‘Filling gaps, providing opportunities’.

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