Global financial crisis, food shortage and climate change could derail Africa's MDG prospects, says UN Deputy Secretary-General Migiro
 |
Addis Ababa, 21 October 2008 (ECA) The global financial crisis compounded by the food shortages and the effects of climate change could derail Africa's prospects of attaining the MDGs across the board, the UN Deputy-Secretary General, Asha-Rose Migiro, said today as the 9 th Regional Consultation Mechanism (RCM) meeting of UN agencies and organizations working in Africa opened in Addis Ababa.
The RCM, whose work is coordinated by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), was established in response to Resolution 57/7 of the General Assembly, which calls for UN organizations to coordinate their activities in support of NEPAD to ensure maximum results.
This year, the meeting is focusing on a coordinated multisectoral response to the food crisis challenge in Africa.
In her opening remark, Ms. Migiro said all the global challenges impacting Africa today could not be separated. “We know that rising temperatures will threaten agricultural productivity and exacerbate food insecurity and therefore deepen poverty,” she said.
Ms. Migiro said climate change and food security issues had compelled the global community to address the vulnerability of Africa's peoples, as these were integral parts of the efforts to achieve the MDGs.
She urged all UN agencies and organizations working in Africa in support of the African Union and its NEPAD programme to work together, at the global, regional and sub-regional levels, as one United Nations family to seek common solutions to these challenges.
“The Organization is only as relevant as it is able to deliver tangible results to people on the ground”, she said, adding: “If we fail to act in a more coherent manner, we will fail the very people who count on us to deliver on the promises we have made”.
Issued by the ECA Information and Communication Service
P.O. Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: 251 11 5445098
Fax: +251 11 5510365
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org
Web: www.uneca.org