China
Mr. Chairman,
Home to most developing countries, the African continent is faced with severe challenges in achieving sustainable development. In recent years, especially since the launch of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), African countries have worked concertedly and strenuously to implement NEPAD. However, weak agricultural basis, land and biological degradation, and frequent natural disasters have seriously hampered the efforts of African countries to achieve food security and eradicate poverty. In many areas in Africa, sustainable development is still beyond reach and achievement of the MDGs is a long and uphill journey. Sustainable development in Africa not only relies on the efforts of African countries themselves, but also requires greater support from the international community in a spirit of global partnership for development.
On the thematic topic of today?s roundtable, I wish to highlight the following three points:
First, the international community should take multifaceted measures to
help African countries achieve development. Developed countries should make real efforts to increase assistance, open market, forgive debts and reduce strings attached to assistance. It is also important to take account of the needs of African countries while focusing on priority areas, improving the quality of assistance, helping African countries enhance capacity for development and improving their ability to attract foreign direct investment and mobilize funds themselves.
Second, the international community should take effective measures to help African countries benefit from economic globalization. Concerted efforts should be made to bring the Doha round negotiations to an early conclusion. Major developed countries need to significantly reduce trade-distorting agricultural subsidies so as to create a level playing field for African farm products and improve African countries? food productivity and self sufficiency. The international community should also increase tariff-free and quota-free market access for the LDCs. Technical assistance should be provided to help the LDCs enhance capacity building in trade-related areas.
Third, the international community should help Africa intensify its anti-desertification efforts. Africa is most seriously affected by desertification, which not only undermines the continent?s agricultural basis, but also seriously worsens the living environment there. Anti-desertification is a long-term and arduous task. Integrated efforts should be made to eradicate poverty, respond to climate change and address desertification. More investment, application of appropriate technologies and participation of all parties are needed to help African countries break the vicious cycle of poverty and desertification.
Mr. Chairman,
China will as always support African efforts to implement NEPAD and achieve sustainable development through unity.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Home to most developing countries, the African continent is faced with severe challenges in achieving sustainable development. In recent years, especially since the launch of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), African countries have worked concertedly and strenuously to implement NEPAD. However, weak agricultural basis, land and biological degradation, and frequent natural disasters have seriously hampered the efforts of African countries to achieve food security and eradicate poverty. In many areas in Africa, sustainable development is still beyond reach and achievement of the MDGs is a long and uphill journey. Sustainable development in Africa not only relies on the efforts of African countries themselves, but also requires greater support from the international community in a spirit of global partnership for development.
On the thematic topic of today?s roundtable, I wish to highlight the following three points:
First, the international community should take multifaceted measures to
help African countries achieve development. Developed countries should make real efforts to increase assistance, open market, forgive debts and reduce strings attached to assistance. It is also important to take account of the needs of African countries while focusing on priority areas, improving the quality of assistance, helping African countries enhance capacity for development and improving their ability to attract foreign direct investment and mobilize funds themselves.
Second, the international community should take effective measures to help African countries benefit from economic globalization. Concerted efforts should be made to bring the Doha round negotiations to an early conclusion. Major developed countries need to significantly reduce trade-distorting agricultural subsidies so as to create a level playing field for African farm products and improve African countries? food productivity and self sufficiency. The international community should also increase tariff-free and quota-free market access for the LDCs. Technical assistance should be provided to help the LDCs enhance capacity building in trade-related areas.
Third, the international community should help Africa intensify its anti-desertification efforts. Africa is most seriously affected by desertification, which not only undermines the continent?s agricultural basis, but also seriously worsens the living environment there. Anti-desertification is a long-term and arduous task. Integrated efforts should be made to eradicate poverty, respond to climate change and address desertification. More investment, application of appropriate technologies and participation of all parties are needed to help African countries break the vicious cycle of poverty and desertification.
Mr. Chairman,
China will as always support African efforts to implement NEPAD and achieve sustainable development through unity.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Doc Chi
Stakeholders