| Thirty-fourth session of the Commission/ Twenty-fifth meeting of
the Conference of Ministers/Ninth Meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of
Finance
Message from the Secretary General Delivered by K. Y.
Amoako It gives me great pleasure to send my greetings to the delegations attending this session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. President Bouteflika, the Government and the people of Algeria deserve our gratitude for hosting this important meeting. The Millennium Declaration adopted at last September’s Millennium Summit devoted a section to the special needs of Africa. With its Compact for Africa’s Recovery ECA continues responding to the challenge of implementing the Declaration. In developing the Compact, ECA worked closely with the African leaders who are developing initiatives for Africa’s economic renewal, in particular the Millennium Partnership for the African recovery Plan (MAP) being spearheaded by President Mbeki of South Africa, President Obasanjo of Nigeria and President Bouteflika of Algeria. Such high-level political support will be crucial in sustaining momentum. The Compact reflects the urgent need for Africa to continue along the path of fundamental political and economic reform. Four areas deserve particular attention in this regard. First, Africa must summon the will to take good governance seriously by ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law, strengthening democratization, and promoting transparency and capability in public administration. Second, Africa must adopt the changes needed to promote economic growth and macro-economic stability. Third, Africa must tap the initiative and entrepreneurship of the private sector. The fourth area is not so much a question of reform as it is a matter of rising to a new and grave challenge: the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Last month’s Summit in Abuja showed that more and more African leaders are recognizing the need for their sustained personal involvement. Next month’s Special Session of the General Assembly is an opportunity to adopt a concrete plan of action to fight a disease which, though a global problem, is currently having its worst effects in Africa. Africa’s development partners should support Africa’s own efforts at change by increasing official development assistance, debt relief and market access. The United Nations, for its part, remains committed to supporting an African-led and African-owned development agenda. With many positive developments occurring in Africa, and with the growing interest of the international community in assisting those African countries that have undertaken needed reforms, we must not let up now. In that hopeful spirit, I wish you every success in your deliberations. |