Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) contributed to positive changes in Africa, says Janneh

Addis Ababa, 22 June 2007 - The Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) has helped Africa in identifying key development issues and contributed to positive changes on the continent since its inception in 1990, UN-Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Abdoulie Janneh said today in Addis Ababa.

In a statement at the opening of GCA meeting, Mr. Janneh said the Coalition had contributed to the growth rate of African economies from an average of 1.8% between 1980 and 1989 to 5.7% in 2006, continuing the upward trend of 5.2 % in 2004 and 5.3% in 2005.

He commended the GCA for its contribution to shaping the debate on issues of critical importance to Africa, noting that its inception was predicated on a difficult period in Africa's history, marked by conflicts, single-party or military governments, weak institutions and poorly performing economies .

GCA has been effective in keeping Africa on the global agenda and promoting action, said Janneh, adding that the Coalition had served “as a space for engagement to overcome apprehensions and wrong perceptions.”

GCA, an intergovernmental forum , is holding its last meeting this week in Addis Ababa after 17 years of bringing together senior African policy makers and their partners to deepen dialogue and build consensus on Africa's priority development.

ECA and the African Development Bank (ADB) have been mandated to take forward the agenda and process of the Coalition.

Mr. Janneh said that plans to take the GCA agenda forward would take into accout the existence of other initiatives, such as the African Development Forum (ADF) and the “Big Table” while maintaining “its tradition of diversity, inclusivity, and institutional independence.''

The Coalition ends its operations in its current format and structure at the end of June 2007. Among the issues to be discussed are the operational modalities required for ECA and ADB to carry the GCA agenda to the next level and continue to address current and other emerging challenges facing Africa .