SECRETARY-GENERAL CLOSES TOKYO CONFERENCE FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT SAYING AFRICA CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LONG-TERM STABILITY OF GLOBAL ECONOMY

21 October 1998

Press Release
SG/SM/6762
AFR/108

SECRETARY-GENERAL CLOSES TOKYO CONFERENCE FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT SAYING AFRICA CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LONG-TERM STABILITY OF GLOBAL ECONOMY

19981021 Dialogue between Africa and Asia in Tokyo Should Lead to New View Of Development Process, New South-South Cooperation and New Partnerships

The following is the text of the remarks made today in Tokyo by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the closing session of the second Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD II):

The United Nations is proud to have participated in this important international Conference.

The various departments of the Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), several other United Nations organizations and specialized agencies, as well as the Bretton Woods institutions -- all of us are pleased to count ourselves among the many organizations around the world that work in solidarity with Africa's efforts to chart a path to peace and higher levels of development.

The Government of Japan, the Global Coalition for Africa and all others who have made possible the second Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD II), merit our most sincere gratitude.

At a time of worldwide concern about the impact of the current financial instability on the world's emerging market and least developed countries, the attention given to Africa by this Conference is encouraging. This forum has demonstrated that the long-term stability of the global economy would be facilitated by the many contributions that Africa, rich in human and natural resources, can make. It has provided a boost to Africa's efforts to reform and equip itself to take advantage of the opportunities presented by globalization, while managing its negative aspects.

It has reaffirmed the key principle of African ownership of the development process. And we have continued to review and adapt cooperation programmes to the changing environment in the continent and in the world at large.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6762 AFR/108 21 October 1998

One of the most valuable aspects of this Conference has been the opportunity it provided for dialogue between African and Asian leaders and nations, dialogue that should lead to new understandings about the development process; new directions for South-South cooperation; and new partnerships on the ground, especially with the private sector.

Recent Asian experience has been something of a roller-coaster -- great heights, perilous plunges, swift movement at all times. The lessons learned along the way are the subject of great debate. But no one can doubt that what happens in Asia matters greatly to Africa, and that Asia and Africa both stand to gain from broadening and deepening these ties.

Let us not underestimate the job ahead. Africa faces serious poverty and challenges that will grow only more complex over time. But, as this Conference has also shown, we are all in this together. Let us now bring to the follow-up action for TICAD II the same sense of urgency that has informed these deliberations.

The United Nations will continue to be your close partner and ally. We have an extraordinary delivery capacity -- both at Headquarters and at the country level -- ready to move forward in every African country. I have a vision in which all of us -- the Government of Japan, the Global Coalition for Africa, African governments and organizations and African development partners throughout the world -- will now do our utmost to make TICAD II come alive. But we, like others, cannot do a proper job without major new resources for the objectives set out in the Tokyo Agenda for Action.

Here, too, we need your leadership. In that spirit -- of shared goals and common cause -- let us move ahead.

* *** *