Ad Hoc Committee to Review

New Agenda for Development of Africa

AM Meeting

AS SESSION CONCLUDES, DELEGATIONS EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT

WITH NEW AGENDA FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

New Partnership a Step in Right Direction, Speakers Say

As the Ad Hoc Committee on the Final Review and Appraisal of the New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s concluded its three-day substantive session this morning, it was generally agreed that the initiative was flawed and that the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) represented a step in the right direction, provided it was assisted by the international community.

During the discussion, African delegates expressed frustration with the United Nations-New Agenda for the Development of Africa (UN-NADAF).  Benin’s representative, for example, insisted that many of the region’s countries had done what they could to help themselves, but the developed countries had not done their part.  Pointing out the limits of liberalization, privatization and other market reforms, he cited declining official development assistance (ODA) and ongoing conflicts as obstacles to the continent’s development.

Senegal’s representative expressed disappointment in UN-NADAF’s shortcomings, but said his country did not necessarily want more ODA, insisting that it had never by itself been able to develop a country.  However, he expressed admiration for the countries of South-East Asia, which had received foreign direct investment, engaged in more world trade and promoted local investment.  Africa could learn from those countries, he added.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania agreed that Africa needed to participate more in world trade, but said the region had been left out thus far since it was dependent on only a few primary products.

Uganda’s representative agreed that UN-NADAF had failed but expressed optimism about NEPAD, describing it as a long-term vision and development initiative owned and designed by Africans.  He insisted, however, that support was needed to make NEPAD work.  More specifically, he called on the international community to provide support for private/public sector investment in infrastructure development, energy and agricultural modernization in Africa; supportive measures to encourage both domestic and foreign investment; measures to assist African countries in conflict prevention and resolution; and measures and programmes to combat HIV/AIDS and promote education for girls.

Non-African countries pledged support to Africa on a variety of levels. Citing the African ancestry of many of his countrymen, Grenada's representative offered emotional solidarity.  Referring to the benefits of South-South cooperation, other countries pledged different means of assistance.  For example, Cuba offered to send 4,000 health personnel to Africa to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  The Philippines offered to share its experiences as a member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and in human capacity-building.

United Nations bodies also expressed their views, with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) suggesting that the capacities of regional institutions should be strengthened to effectively monitor the implementation of NEPAD.

The representative of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements

(Habitat) maintained that there was a definite link between urbanization and sustained economic growth.  Therefore, in Africa, which had the world’s highest urbanization rate, the battle for sustainable development would be won or lost in the cities.

Others participating today were the representatives of Tunisia, Mexico and Mozambique.

Also making a statement was the representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The Committee will meet again from 7 to 11 October.

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