NEWS & MEDIA

African, G8 leaders meet, discuss cooperation processes



Date: 11 Jun 2004

Six African leaders and the leaders of the world's eight richest countries concluded their meeting in Georgia, in the US yesterday, with a pledge to work together to ensure better living conditions in the African continent.

Presidents Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algeria), John Kuffour (Ghana) and Abdoulaye Wade (Senegal) met with the Group of Eight (G8) leaders on the invitation of US President George W. Bush.

The two parties discussed a range of issues and re-emphasised the need for partnership between Africa and the G8 particularly given efforts aimed at poverty reduction and dealing a blow to under-development.

The Sea Island encounter was the fourth meeting between African and G8 leaders with a view to building and consolidating partnerships aimed at advancing the continent's economic developmental programme-Nepad.

Previous interactions between the leaders took place in Japan (2000), Italy (2001), Canada (2002) and France (2003).

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said African leaders briefed the G8 leaders on peace and security initiatives.

Issues discussed include the recent launch of the Peace and Security Council; progress made in respect of reviews undertaken under the African Peer Review Mechanism, Agricultural Development; and concerns of African continent regarding the logjam in multilateral negotiations.

"In response, President George Bush made a commitment to ensure that AGOA III is passed as soon as possible," said Mr Mamoepa, adding that it was further noted that AGOA had assisted in the creation of over 300 000 jobs on the African continent.

AGOA -the African Growth Opportunity Ac t- provides an opportunity for the African continent to trade with the US, opening markets for the latter to the lucrative US market.

Still on trade issues, G8 leaders joined African leaders in expressing their concern regarding the logjam that has arisen in multilateral negotiations with particular reference to World Trade Organisation (WTO) and committed themselves to act to assist in unlocking the impasse.

"In respect to the Peace and Security Support Operations and Resource Flows, G8 and African leaders agreed on the need for the NEPAD Steering Committee and the Personal Representatives of the leaders of the G8 to develop concrete proposals for consideration by both leaders in the next G8 meeting," explained Mr Mamoepa.

This year's meeting took place against the background of the agreement by G8 leaders in Canada, committing themselves through the G8 Africa Action Plan in support of NEPAD and a further commitment to allocate 50 percent or more of the increase to development assistance announced in Monterrey for Africa.

The Plan was aimed at promoting peace and security; strengthening institutions and governance; fostering trade, investment, economic growth and sustainable development; implementation of debt relief; expanding knowledge; improving health and confronting HIV/AIDS; increase in agricultural productivity; and improving water resource management.

"It was reconfirmed that a comprehensive review of progress with the implementation of the G8 Africa Action Plan will be conducted in 2005," said Mr Mamoepa.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair stressed that the work of the UK Commission for Africa would focus on developing a holistic response for issues of trade governance, peace and security, human development and resource flows.