PRESS conference BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) would like to be linked to all United Nations bodies, Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive of its secretariat, said at a Headquarters press briefing this afternoon.

NEPAD was “happy to be part of this global, multilateral body”, he said, noting that the linkage would allow his secretariat to learn from the United Nations with regard to its work on Africa development.  “We do not want to lose what we have already.”

He was responding to a question about the Secretary-General’s intention to merge the Office of his Special Adviser on Africa with the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.  The Office of the Special Representative had made it possible for him to relate to United Nations bodies, and it should remain.

Also responding to the question as he moderated the press conference, Patrick Hayford, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Special Representative, said the matter was under discussion between the Secretary-General and Member States, and it was expected to be appropriately resolved.

Mr. Mucavele welcomed this morning’s General Assembly debate on progress in the implementation of NEPAD’s programmes, the causes of conflict in Africa, the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in the region, and the 2001-2010 Decade to Roll Back Malaria.  Progress had been made in implementing NEPAD’s programmes in the areas of infrastructure, energy, education, science and technology.  Recent activities included the creation of the Pan African Fund for Infrastructure Development, capitalized at $625 million from South African, Ghanaian and Nigerian pension funds.  NEPAD was also promoting social development programmes.

[The Secretary-General’s fifth consolidated report on progress in implementation and international support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (document A/62/203) was among the documents before the Assembly.]

Mr. Mucavele described as successful an African Partnership Forum held in Berlin from 22 to 23 May and attended by personal representatives of the G-8 Africa Process, officials from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and representatives of 20 African States.  The aim of the Forum was to enhance dialogue on strategic, political and socio-economic issues relating to African development and the implementation of NEPAD’s programmes.  NEPAD was about to review all commitments made by the G-8 countries in the last few years.

Responding to further questions, he explained NEPAD’s structure and its 20-member council of Heads of State, which dealt with peace and security questions, as well as matters of democracy and good governance.

He told a questioner that Somalia had not had a formal administration for many years before the installation of the present Transitional Federal Government, and it still lacked public administration.  Efforts were being made to resolve the current crisis in that country, and a way had to be found to introduce good governance there.

At the outset of the press conference, Mr. Hayford said he had read that within the next two years schools in Rwanda would be connected to the Internet.  “ Africa is not all civil war and famine, chaos and fighting.  There are developments of a more positive nature which, unfortunately, do not get more coverage”, he added.

NEPAD’s primary objectives are to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growth and development, integrate Africa into the world economy, and accelerate the empowerment of women.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record