Mr. President,
I have the honour, on behalf
of the Group of 77 and China, to present to the General Assembly a
draft resolution A/59/L.33/Rev.1 entitled, "New
partnership for Africa's Development: progress in implementation and
international support". The draft resolution has been arrived at
by consensus and is co-sponsored by a number of countries.
Africa faces serious challenges that require collective action both
on the part of African countries and the International Community to overcome.
The adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development by the African
Union in 2001 as the continent's owned and led initiative, and its subsequent
endorsement by the General Assembly as the framework for international
support for Africa, demonstrate the determination to address the daunting
challenges of Africa. NEPAD offers great hope which, if matched with
requisite political will and commitment would enable Africa to claim
the twenty-first century for itself.
The main aim of the resolution that I have introduced here is to keep
the spotlight on the efforts of African countries as well as underscore
the continuing need for international support to complement those efforts.
In the past year African countries have taken concrete steps to implement
NEPAD. They have done this through the development of sectoral policy
frameworks, design of specific projects and establishment of expenditure
targets in NEPAD priority areas. These efforts would require an enabling
national and international environment conducive of growth and development
with the participation of multi-stakeholders. Furthermore, it is important
to keep the special circumstance of Africa in focus as the countdown
to the 2005 Major Event begins. Accordingly, the draft resolution highlights
areas of progress and needs.
Mr. President,
May I use this opportunity to thank all delegations for their cooperation
and support during the informal consultations on the draft. I should
thank in particular, Mr. Abdallah Benmellouk of Morocco for his tireless
efforts as facilitator of the resolution. Without the support of all,
it would not have been possible to reach a consensus on the draft. In
this regard, I would like to inform and invite delegations other than
members of the Group of 77 and China, who may still wish to co-sponsor
the resolution that they can do so from the floor before its adoption.
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China and the co-sponsors of draft
resolution A/59/L.33/Rev.1, I have the pleasure to present the draft
to the General Assembly for its adoption as a consensus text.
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Mr. President,
Now, I would like to introduce
to the General Assembly, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, a
draft resolution A/59/L.50/Rev.1 entitled, "Implementation
of recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary General on
the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable
development in Africa".
The draft resolution has been arrived at by consensus. It takes note
of the significant progress made in the prevention, management and resolution
of conflicts, while recognizing that a lot still remains to be done especially
with regard to new and emerging trends that could undermine the gains
made in the consolidation of peace and sustainable development. The resolution
welcomes the establishment by the African Union of the Peace and Security
Council and looks forward to the establishment of companion structures
of the Peace and Security institution. It also welcomes the contributions
of the UN system, development partners and other relevant stakeholders
in conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa.
Mr. President,
The consensus we have achieved was due in part to the skills of the
facilitator, Mr. Philippe Leglise-Costa who gave his best during the
informal negotiations. But more than that, were the flexibility, and
cooperation shown by all delegations, which resulted in a consensus after
the second reading of the original text. We sincerely hope that this
spirit would prevail in 2005. I would like therefore, to thank all who
took part in the informal negotiation for their cooperation and support.
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I have the pleasure to present
draft resolution A/59/L.50/Rev.1 to the General Assembly for its adoption
as a consensus text.
I thank you.
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