First African Forum for Dialogue

Monsieur le Président de la Commission de l’Union Africaine [Ping]
Madame la Conseillère Fédérale [Calmy-Rey]
Madame l’Ambassadrice [Masri]
Excellences
Mesdames et messieurs:

C’est avec d’autant plus de plaisir que je me joins de nouveau à vous à l’occasion de la journée de l’Afrique que cette commémoration a pris cette année à Genève une importance accrue, avec un programme particulièrement étoffé et surtout grâce à la participation de Son Excellence M. Jean Ping.

Much has happened since we came together last year to mark Africa Day. The world is experiencing an economic crisis, unprecedented in scale and scope. The global down-turn is erasing jobs and undermining the hard-won development gains of recent years with alarming speed through a collapse in commodity prices and demand. It holds the real risk of pushing millions of people into greater poverty. While the crises did not originate in Africa, the region is severely affected. Growth rates expected to half in 2009. Remittances have slowed and are expected to fall this year. Any turn towards protectionism would only deepen Africa’s problems. If today’s trends persist, no African country will achieve all the Goals by 2015. What started out as a financial crisis is now threatening to eventually become a humanitarian one.

At the same time, the global food crisis may have faded from the headlines but it has by no means gone away. While having the least part in global warming, Africa will, in fact, be harder hit by the climate change than any other region. We must recognize that Africa has particular needs to address the impact of climate change through mitigation and adaptation, and Africa must be part of the new “Green Deal” to confront climate change – also as an element in the efforts to solve the economic crisis through innovative technology and “green” job creation.

But, Africa Day is not only an occasion to reflect on the challenges, but it is also a welcome opportunity to celebrate the continent’s achievements and vast possibilities. The Secretary-General has said it: Africa is a continent of opportunities that can be realized, if the will and commitment of all concerned actors allow it. The United Nations remains convinced that through concerted action involving African Governments and their development partners, the Millennium Development Goals are achievable in Africa.

As the economic and financial crisis has also shown, African economies have grown more resilient through the reforms of the past decade, with greater efficiency in macroeconomic management and increased competitiveness.

Despite low penetration rates for new technologies, new applications have been proliferating in sectors such as e-banking and e-payment. This is one of the areas where the present crisis offers opportunities for creativity and technological innovation, and I welcome the focus in the panel discussions on information and communication technology.

These are clearly building blocks for lessening the impact of the crisis and for advancing development. Unlocking the potential of the African continent requires continued and accelerated reforms, coupled with increased and improved aid flows:

Firstly, we need to work together to strengthen governance and capacity. The rule of law and good governance offer the most reliable way to promote peace and prosperity. We must reinforce democratic governance and participation in decision-making. Experience clearly shows that delivery and results are improved when local communities are involved in decisions affecting. Democracy, peace and development are interdependent, and entrenching democratic principles requires active engagement by all sectors of society, including civil society. Strides towards greater gender equality must be part of these efforts.

This calls for joint efforts on the part of national Governments and on the part of donors, who need to work in support of nationally-determined priorities.

Secondly, we must consolidate peace and security through the peaceful settlement of ongoing conflicts as the essential underpinning of economic progress. The development of the African Peace and Security Architecture is critical to an effective long-term approach to conflict prevention and resolution – and this requires sustained support from the international community. The United Nations and the African Union are bolstering their strategic collaboration in mediation and conflict prevention. The joint AU-UN Panel on Financing of African Peacekeeping Missions has proposed modalities for how the international community can best support peace operations in Africa. As part of the United Nations, the Peacebuilding Commission has provided support for Sierra Leone, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic in stabilizing their peace processes.

Thirdly, we must invest in the people of Africa. They are the single greatest resource and key to empowering the continent. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria still take an unacceptable toll. There has been little progress in maternal health, which is critical to the achievement of other health-related MDGs. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 38 million children do not have access to schools. Schooling, quality in education and affordable, adequate health services need to be available to the poorest. This is not only a matter of basic human rights and social justice; it is sound economics.

The challenges on the African continent are a call to action on other global threats as well, such as disarmament and non-proliferation. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, world military expenditure has topped 1.3 trillion dollars. This arms build-up not only increases the likelihood of violence, but it drains much-needed resources away from development. Strategic disarmament could free up significant funds that could be channelled towards improving the lives of millions of fellow human beings, including in Africa. We must also scale up efforts to address the devastating impact on development prospects of small arms and light weapons, and the illicit trade in these arms.

Excellences
Mesdames et messieurs:

The challenges facing Africa are inter-related. We can only reverse negative trends and capitalize on comparative advantages through a comprehensive response, with the contribution of all partners. We need both national and global leadership to protect the poorest and most vulnerable.

La morosité ambiante ne doit pas nous gagner. L’Union Africaine et les Nations Unies, peuvent et doivent œuvrer ensemble pour un continent prospère.

Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much.