Response to Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada

by K. Y. Amoako,
Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

11 April 2002, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Your Excellency Prime Minister Chretien,

I am sure the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity joins me in thanking you wholeheartedly for your inspiring and kind words. Your address rekindles our hope that Africa can sharply reduce poverty in a generation and can fully integrate into the global economy.

I want to thank you and the people of Canada for your strong and consistent commitment in support of Africa’s quest for poverty reduction and sustainable development. We have followed with great interest your trip across the continent, and have noted with appreciation your understanding of Africa’s development challenges and the needs of our people. Your presence amongst us here in Addis Ababa, the capital of Africa, is indeed a singular honour and privilege.

I recently had the opportunity of visiting your beautiful country. During the visit, I met and had fruitful discussions with your ministers and key officials working on Africa, many of whom I am pleased to see in this room today. I returned from that trip very touched by the warmth and support of Canadians for Africa.

Your Excellency,

Two years ago, the Economic Commission for Africa collaborated with a number of leading development institutions on a major research project entitled "Can Africa Claim the 21^st Century". Our answer was a qualified yes. The prerequisites, we said, were: improving governance and resolving conflicts; investing in our people; increasing the competitiveness and diversification of our economies; and reducing our dependency on aid and strengthening partnerships.

A consensus has emerged, among us and among our development partners, on what Africa needs to do to fulfill its promise.

This consensus is clearly articulated in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). As you have eloquently stated in your address, NEPAD is a plan of extraordinary vision and also of immense realism. NEPAD also constitutes a framework for effective partnership between Africa and its development partners.

We are gratified to hear you say that the G-8 is committed to making this partnership a reality. In my view, among the fundamental principles that should underpin this partnership are:

• That extreme poverty is the worst form of human rights violation, and that Africa’s quest for stability and growth can enhance international peace and security;

• That donors must rally around an African-owned and African-driven agenda in a coherent manner; and

• That both Africa and her partners must commit to agreed outcomes and mechanisms for monitoring performance towards such goals.

Your Excellency,

Finally, let me say that we at the Economic Commission for Africa have been privileged to support our African leaders in conceptualizing and developing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work closely with your Personal Representative, Ambassador Robert Fowler, and his G-8 counterparts.

In your address, Sir, you have shown a deep understanding and a commitment to this new partnership that can make a difference for Africa. We know we can always count on your support and the friendship of Canada.