Statement on the Meeting of the NEPAD Steering Committee and the G8 Africa Personal Representatives Bamako, Mali Monday 14th April 2003

The NEPAD Steering Committee and the Committee of G8 Africa Personal Representatives met in Bamako, Mali on Monday, 14 April 2003 to continue the dialogue aimed at redefining the partnership between the G8 states and Africa.

In particular, discussions were aimed at examining the implementation of the G8 Africa Action Plan announced in Kananaskis, Canada in June 2002 in support of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Furthermore, the meeting prepared for the upcoming G8 Summit in Evian, France in June 2003.

During the course of the meeting, the Chairperson of the NEPAD Steering Committee, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, reported on progress in the NEPAD process on:

· The development of a joint AU/NEPAD/G8/UN peace support operations capacity development project,
· The operationalisation of the African Peer Review Mechanism, and
· The implementation of specific infrastructure, agriculture, health and education projects.

The meeting discussed areas of cooperation and support in relation to the items described above that could be announced at the Evian Summit.

Much progress was identified in the area of a joint plan for strengthening African capacity for peace support operations and this will be an area of clear commitment in Evian. Secondly, the Evian Summit will concentrate on what has to be done in Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in relation to water and sanitation issues.

Greater clarity was developed by the meeting in terms of the role of the G8 states in partnering NEPAD in the facilitation of infrastructure projects, playing a mobilising, catalytic and advocacy role.

The critical issues of market access (including the destabilising effects of export and agricultural subsidies and the issues of commodity pricing), debt relief, ODA reform, meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and developing a mechanism for mutual accountability were also discussed. Specific discussions were held on progress in meeting MDG targets in the areas of health and education.

The G8 reiterated their commitment to Africa and emphasised that the focus on Africa at Evian will not be lost in light of recent global developments.

The meeting agreed to hold a final meeting on 19 - 20 May in Paris, France in preparation for the Evian Summit on 1 - 2 June 2003. This meeting will also examine continued modalities for cooperation post-Evian. It is also expected that each G8 state will report at this meeting on their individual plans and efforts for implementing the G8 Africa Action Plan.

In conclusion, the meeting thanked the President of the Republic of Mali for the hospitality and support extended in the hosting of the meeting in Bamako. H.E. President Amadou Toumani Toure hosted the delegates at a reception on conclusion of the meeting.

ISSUED BY THE NEPAD SECRETARIAT
BAMAKO, MALI
14 APRIL 2003