The third The African Diaspora Ministerial Conference started its activities on 16 ^th November, in Johannesburg South Africa. Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit assigned Ambassador Shamel Nasser, Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs and the Affairs of the African Union to head the Egyptian delegation to the Conference.

 The opening session was headed by the President of South Africa , Thabo Mbeki. The Conference which was also attended by official delegations of the invited counties in addition to several important and influential figures in Africa , also witnessed the significant participation of several figures from Latin America and  the Caribbean,  including Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Omar Konare, and Vice President of the CARICOM, Ambassador Colin Granderson.

The Conference will also discuss topics relating to the promotion of ties between native Africans and their immigrant counterparts as a means of preserving Africa identity , confronting racism , and benefiting from their expertise in development efforts by discussing five thematic pivotal issues : International dialogue , peace and stability , Economic cooperation , regional development , integration , women and child issues , marginalized groups , historical , social , cultural and religious issues , as well as information sharing.