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British-Angola Forum

Aim

The British-Angola Forum (BAF) was founded in 1998 with the aim of bringing together organizations, companies and individuals in Europe concerned with affairs in Angola and with Angola in its regional and international context: a principal aim is to enhance relations between the two countries.

Background

Angola is a major player in Africa on many fronts, as well as being important to the UK's strategic interest in the region. Despite this, there is little historical understanding in the UK of the country or the many challenges it faces.

Angola is now emerging from a post-conflict environment. In September 2008, Angola held its first multiparty elections since 1992. We have produced analysis of the election context in Angola's Elections: A Democratic Oil Giant? and their results - Angola: Looking Beyond Elections. These elections mark the end of a post conflict transition since 2002 with the country enjoying massive economic growth.

Angola is increasingly influential in the region and beyond. Its massive oil wealth means that its budget is approximately equal to the entire OECD aid budget for Sub-Saharan Africa - about $30 billion. Angola is active in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as elsewhere in Southern Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. Developmental and other priorities in the region cannot be met without deeper understanding of Angola's internal politics and regional role.

The Forum

An independent non-profit and apolitical organization, the Forum is a centre of excellence and expertise on Angolan affairs, providing quality information, engaging in a constructive debate and conducting research. Under the auspices of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Forum offers a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and companies to share knowledge and ideas across the whole spectrum of Angolan society. The Forum also provides the administrative support to the British All Party Parliamentary Group on Angola.

To date, the British-Angola Forum has held a series of talks and seminars on business, investment, politics, human rights, the constitution and culture, and has hosted meetings for notable Angolan visitors. It held two international conferences on Angola 'Western Foreign Policy towards Angola in the New Millennium', and 'Towards Sustainable Peace: A Challenge for Angola and the International Community'. In 2007, it carried out an 'Energy Dialogue' project with symposia in Luanda and Aberdeen on energy sector cooperation between the UK and Angola. In March 2008 we published a detailed piece of research into Angola and China - Angola and China: A Pragmatic Partnership.

An advisory board of individuals with backgrounds in Angolan affairs oversees the direction of the Forum. It includes HE Ambassador Ana Maria Carreira (Angolan Ambassador to Britain), and HE Ambassador Pat Phillips (British Ambassador to Angola). Alex Vines, who has extensive knowledge of Angola, oversees the development of the British-Angola Forum.

The Forum is sponsored by BP, Banco Africano de Investimentos, De Beers, De La Rue, Exxon, Miranda, Correia and Amondeira, Limje Industrial Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, Marathon Oil and Gas, Statoil-hydro and Roc Oil Co. Ltd.

Further Information

If you would like to become a corporate member of the BAF or require further information please contact:

Elizabeth Donnelly
Tel: +44 (0)20 7957 5718
Email Elizabeth Donnelly