ECA Chief Addresses Development Challenges
(PANA) - Despite recent increases in economic growth, African nations need to urgently address the critical challenge of generating faster growth rates and more employment opportunities for poverty reduction, according to Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
| Briefing African Ambassadors and heads of mission accredited to ECA late Thursday on recent economic trends in the continent, Janneh said that Africa continued to face several long and short-term development challenges. The region’s improved economic growth, (5.8 per cent in 2007), he explained, had been underpinned by better governance, improved macroeconomic management and increased global demand for Africa’s commodities. However, Janneh pointed out that this improvement was still insufficient to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) or achieve the African Union’s vision of development for the contin ent. In addition, the ECA chief underlined the need for Africa to comprehensively tackle issues related to climate change and development, improving governance and institutional capacity building , and reversing rates of HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths. Janneh cautioned that the spectre of recession in key industrial countries and high international oil and food prices could act as a drag on growth and impact on balance of payments and service delivery in Af rica. Meanwhile, the ECA is organising a five-day ‘Science with Africa’ international conference from 3 March 2008 in Addis Ababa, as a follow-up on the theme of the last AU Summit on Africa ‘s industrial development. Janneh said the aim of the conference was to raise the level and range of partic ipation and collaboration of African science-based entities in international research and development projects, and also to inform new science diplomacy within Africa. At the conclusion of its 10th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa on 2 February 2008 , the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government issued a declaration that commits Member States to increase investment in science and technology as well as in human capital development, with emphasis on technical training in order to enhance Africa’s industrial productivity and competitiveness. The declaration also commits African countries to strengthen industrial research and development institutions, in order to develop innovative approaches and programmes for accelerated industrial development. |
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