Continued backing for African development initiatives
High-level government representatives on Tuesday expressed support for African efforts to spur lasting economic development as the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) entered the second day of its high-level segment debate on ensuring sustainable development for African countries.
A number of ministers taking the floor said African plans for economic growth would not succeed without an end to numerous wars and conflicts on the continent as well as the establishment of good governance and sound democracies.
Likewise, transparent and corruption-free legal and regulatory frameworks, substantial increases in international assistance, the lightening of foreign-debt burdens, and the elimination of barriers to African exports were also vital conditions to spur economic expansion.
Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for greater international backing to the continent and stressed that the UN system had a crucial role to play in mobilizing and delivering that support.
