Urgency to deal with growing poverty in Africa

Economic and Social Council vice- president, Colombian ambassador Alfonso Valdovizieu, said that there is a sense of urgency to deal with the poverty that has been increasing in Africa.

However, the ECOSOC convening in Geneva concluded its discussions on Africa on Tuesday on a hopeful note on the prospects of coordinated U.N. action to assist the continent in overcoming the challenges of the next century.

The economic commission for Africa (eca) executive secretary k.Y Amoako was quoted by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA as saying that this meeting, being the last before the end of the millennium, is of particular importance to see where Africa is today and how the U.N. can harmonize and coordinate its activities for better impact.

Executive director of U.N. AIDS Dr. Peter Piott on his part expressed satisfaction that the aids was incorporated in the debate. "It was discussed as a development problem, as well as a model for coordination of U.N. system activities," added Piott.

In Africa, one in four has lost someone or knows of someone who died of aids.

Amoako stressed that Africa has seen progress in many ways. "Next October Africa will convene a major meeting in Addis Ababa on the challenges of globalization and the information age," added Amoako.

He noted however that civil unrest and wars have hampered the developmental efforts in Africa.

ECOSOC, in session since July 5, concludes its meeting on July 30.