By H.E. Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
April 11, 2002

I have always believed the fundamental duty that any government owes its people is to inspire optimism confidence and hope; optimism about their prospects and those of their children; the confidence to follow and live their dreams; the hope, always, for a brighter tomorrow.

In saying this I am mindful of the blunt fact that Africa is a place where optimism confidence and hope have for too long been in short supply. Growing poverty , famine, disease, war, debt, corruption -they are the millstones of Africa. A cascade of crisis upon crisis has driven the African people to the fringes of our globalized world.

I do not have to recite the statistics to you. You live them every day.

Ladies and gentlemen I am not known as someone of idle dreams and empty ideals. I prefer action to rhetoric. That is why I am pleased to come before you today to speak about the renewal of real hope for Africa. A renewal conceived by Africans for Africans, that puts the needs of people first. It is powered by progressive vision and values and global partnership. And, if fully implemented, will transform the relationship of Africans with each other and with the world.

I speak of course of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. A landmark document conceived and promoted by progressive African leaders.

Rarely, if ever, has a single political initiative sought to transform an entire continent. Rarely, if ever, has such a plan been embraced so fully by the Heads of Government of a region, including the 53 members of the Organization of African Unity. And rarely, if ever, have we seen such commitment among leaders extend to holding each other accountable for its full implementation.

The NEPAD is a plan of extraordinary vision, but also of immense realism. It recognizes the enormous potential creativity and dynamism of the African people. It has been shaped by their personal experience of the painful history of Africa. And it acknowledges that peace security democracy good governance human rights and sound economic management are pre-conditions for ending the economic marginalization of the continent.

It foresees a new partnership with the international community. But above all, its cornerstone is the proposition that the key to progress in Africa lies first and foremost with Africans.

Throughout Africa, we see evidence that the underlying principles of the NEPAD are taking root. For example, a lasting resolution to the endless civil war in Angola appears to be within reach. And it appears that peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea truly is being consolidated.

Democracy is the birthright of all peoples. And democratic transition is becoming the norm in Africa. Moreover, tolerance for the denial of democracy is evaporating. The suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth following the report of election observers is a recent example of note.

The Chairman and the Convenor of the NEPAD Implementation Committee were members of the Commonwealth Troika that recommended suspension. Their decision gives proper expression to the governance principles that are integral to the NEPAD.

The principles of NEPAD were not chosen at random, nor was the new concept of partnership that it envisions with the advanced industrialized countries. We will be partners in every sense of the word. It will be a two-way street, with reciprocal and integrated obligations.

Much of our foreign policy in recent years has been focussed on issues of special concern to Africa. Like addressing the economic causes of armed conflict such as illicit diamonds, the eradication of antipersonnel mines, ensuring the protection of civilians in armed conflict, recognizing the important role of women in society, and ending the deployment of child soldiers.

Canada has also sent peacekeepers to strife tom regions throughout the continent. And it has demonstrated its support for Africa - and other developing countries - by taking the lead on debt. We have forgiven all the development assistance debts of almost all Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, including $1.3 billion for the 34 least developed countries in Africa.

We have forgiven over $2 billion in other debt payments owing to the Government of Canada. And on January 1^st, 2001, we also stopped collecting interest owing on the remaining debt from eight African Heavily Indebted Poor Countries who have committed to reform. And I am very proud to say that since 1986, all of Canada's development assistance has been on a grant-only basis.

Commitment to the new partnership is also evident around the G8 table. As the NEPAD asserts: "The continued marginalization of Africa from the globalization process and the social exclusion of the vast majority of its peoples constitute a serious threat to global security." G8 leaders understand well that a cohesive and prosperous Africa -an Africa with a brighter future -means a more prosperous and secure world.

At Genoa last year we resolved to work with committed African leaders to help build and expand a new partnership, through the development of a concrete Africa Action Plan in response to the NEPAD. Discussions with G8 and African leaders are going well. And I am confident that our Africa Action Plan will help set a new course.

While optimistic about the outcome of the G8 deliberations, I would caution that neither the NEPAD nor the G8 Africa Action Plan should be looked upon as pledging documents or as quick fixes.

In December, our government set aside $500 million in support of the G8 Africa Action Plan. And at Monterrey, I announced that Canadian international assistance will increase by at least 8 per cent per year in the years to come, which should result in our doubling our current aid performance in 8 or 9 years. Much of it will be for Africa.

In recent weeks we have also received welcome news from the European Union and the United States about dramatic increases in their development assistance commitments - increases that will add about 50 billion US dollars in aid to developing countries.

Again, much of this will be directed to the assistance of African partners. But as partners we must remain realistic in our expectations.

Despite these new commitments our African partners should not think of the G8 Africa Action Plan primarily in terms of money, for it promises more than that. For our part, the G8 cannot reasonably expect the political and economic changes called for in the NEPAD to be achieved overnight.

The economic marginalization of Africa was not a sudden catastrophe, but rather the result of generations of decline. A decline which has left a legacy of dashed hopes and fostered a good deal of mutual skepticism.

But have no doubt. The millstones of despair that have weighed down the people of Africa for too long will be lifted. They will know a brighter future.

African leaders who fully commit to NEPAD will have the satisfaction of inspiring real hope and of making a real difference in the lives of their people.

My friends, we are embarking on an historic journey of renewal. One of uncertain length but of certain destination. One that we will make together. As equals. In solidarity.Committed to the renewal of this great continent and the flourishing of its people.