(this is part 7 of a 7-part series, see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Part 5 and Part 6 here)

On 27 March 2019, the Africa Practice at Specht & Partner co-organized the Ambassadors Breakfast meeting on “Africa China Europe with focus on One Belt, One Road (OBOR)”.

The Breakfast meeting was co-organized with the Austrian Chinese Business Association (ACBA) and Society Magazin. Our panelists included H. E. Mrs Faouzia Mebarki, Ambassador of Algeria, H.E Mr Li Xiosi Ambassador of the Republic of China, H.E. Mrs Vivian Nwunaku Rose Okeke Ambassador of Nigeria, Mr M. Elyes Lakhal, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Tunisia, Univ. Prof Dr, Adams Bodomo, and Mr DI Omar Al-Rawi member of the Local Council of Vienna, and Chairman of the Strabag Works Council. The meeting was well attended by members of the corporate, diplomatic, and NGO community interested in the OBOR project.

The Panel Discussion

DI Omar Al-Rawi is a member of the Socialist Party of Austria and and has represented the party in the Vienna  municipal council as well as the state parliament since 2001. He was Integration Commissioner of the IGGiÖ (Islamic Religious Community in Austria) from 1999 until 2011. Born in Bagdad, Mr. Al-Rawi became an Austrian citizen in 1988. He has worked in the construction sector and been a member of various corporate boards.

Talk of Mr DI Omar Al-Rawi at the Ambassadors Breakfast meeting – Africa China Europe with focus on One Belt, One Road

Mr DI Omar Al-Rawi explained that by 2050 around 75% of the world population will be city dwellers, thus highlighting the existing and forthcoming challenges of urbanisation processes, and the importance of Smart Cities. Giving the example of Vienna, a city with the highest quality of life and ranked as the most liveable city in the world, he explained the need for investment in infrastructure and education as well as the creation of a highly qualified and educated workforce, social provisions, and a dignified standard of living. All of these combined would then translate into the creation and maintenance of a sustainable economy. Speaking on Europe´s history of colonisation in Africa, he reminded us that China does not have a historic negative impact on Africa, and that when solving the issue of migration the root cause must also be addressed. He concluded by saying that there could be no development without dealing with China, and that the city of Vienna with its Mayor Mr Michael Häupl are ready to engage with China.

To learn more about the Ambassadors Breakfast meeting – Africa China Europe with focus on One Belt, One Road, please visit the other articles in our series:

Part 1: Dr. Leopold Specht’s remarks on the One Belt, One Road initiative

Part 2: The Chinese Ambassador to Austria, the Honorable Li Xiosi’s remarks on the One Belt, One Road initiative

Part 3: Professor Adams Bodomo of Ghana, Director of the Global African Diaspora Studies (GADS) Research Center at the University of Vienna, Austria, Chair of African Studies (Languages and Literature)

Part 4: H.E. Ambassador Vivian Nwunaku Rose Okeke, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Slovakia and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna

Part 5: H.E. Ambassador Faouzia Mebarki, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the United Nations (Vienna)

Part 6: Minister Counselor Elyes Lakhal is the Economic & Political Counselor at the Embassy of Republic of Tunisia to Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia in Vienna

Part 7: DI Omar Al-Rawi, member of the Socialist Party of Austria (current page)