GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS NO CHALLENGE MORE CRITICAL THAN AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT, ON AFRICA INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY
Press Release
GA/9006
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS NO CHALLENGE MORE CRITICAL THAN AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT, ON AFRICA INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY
19951120 Following is the message of the President of the General Assembly, Diogo Freitas do Amaral (Portugal), delivered on the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day on 20 November:This year's celebration of Africa Industrialization Day comes at an historic time. A few weeks ago, the largest assembly of leaders the world has ever seen came to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. In their Declaration, they pledged to "redirect the Organization to greater service to humankind, especially to those who are suffering and are deeply deprived". This, they proclaimed, is "the practical and moral challenge of our time".
No challenge is perhaps more critical to the international community today than the development of Africa. To many, Africa represents a plethora of problems -- poverty, political instability, civil strife, poor economic performance, rapidly growing population, environmental degradation, hunger and malnutrition, disease and illiteracy. But to many more, Africa is a land of promise and opportunity.
Africa is home to over 700 million people, half of whom are under the age of 15. The continent occupies nearly one quarter of the globe's surface. Yet, despite escalating birth rates, it still only accounts for a little more than 10 per cent of the world's population. It is a continent where human and natural resources abound -- resources that are the building blocks of future prosperity.
The challenge for Africa is to harness its vast resources in the attainment of sustainable social and economic development. Industrialization holds the key to meeting this challenge. Indeed, the General Assembly in resolution 44/237 of 22 December 1989 proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialization Day. The observance of this day symbolizes the international community's solidarity with the countries of Africa. Above all, it reaffirms the principle of partnership between Africa and the international community in the industrial development of the continent.
Africans themselves acknowledge that they bear the main responsibility for their development. Over the past decade they have demonstrated a strong
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determination to overcome their developmental problems. A significant number of countries have initiated far-reaching policy reforms. The World Bank found that 23 out of 26 countries had adopted adequate monetary policies, 14 had done reasonably well in reducing their fiscal deficit and 19 had made significant adjustments to their exchange rates. The improved policy environment enabled eight countries to achieve or exceed the 6 per cent gross domestic product growth rate set under the New Agenda for the Development of Africa. In spite of the unfavourable external environment, some countries succeeded in reversing the trend of deindustrialization or in rehabilitating their industrial infrastructures. In face, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has found that the manufacturing sector has grown faster than the economy in many African countries during the period 1983 to 1993.
Still, many consider the progress made by African countries as too modest when compared with the enormity of the problems facing the continent today. Continued progress in meeting the daunting demands of development in Africa will depend a great deal on the support of the international community. Many African governments have undertaken courageous reform measures and the international community must abide by its political, economic and moral obligation to assist Africa. After all, the United Nations New Agenda for Development in the 1990s, as well as the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa, rest on the consensus view that the development of Africa is a priority concern of the international community.
The United Nations system has played a key role in keeping the pressing concerns of Africa very much in the public mind. It has played a catalytic role in mobilizing international support for the development of the continent. The UNIDO, in particular, has carried out these vital tasks in the field of industrial development. Along with the Economic Commission for Africa and the Organization of African Unity, UNIDO has actively promoted international economic cooperation for African industrialization within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa.
The theme of this year's celebration of Africa Industrialization Day is human resource development. This theme is most appropriate at a time when we are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. For our Organization can do no better service to humanity than to help people and nations realize their fullest potential. Human resource development helps make this possible. Training and education enable people to grow and create opportunities for their own betterment. So, too, do economies. Industry, more than any sector of the economy, needs trained and educated leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and workers, to thrive and grow. Africa deserves our solidarity and steadfast support as it strives to fulfil its hopes and aspirations for the future. As we celebrate Africa Industrialization Day, let this simple but worthy message be uppermost in our minds.
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