Cairo Plan of Action: Africa-Europe
Summit Under the ÆGIS of the OAU and the EU
Cairo, 3-4 April 2000
I. INTRODUCTION
We, the Heads of State and Government of African
States and of the European Union as well as the
President of the European Commission, have met in
the First Africa - Europe Summit under the Aegis
of the OAU and EU, in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt,
at the kind invitation of His Excellency Mohammed
Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of
Egypt, under the Co-Presidency of the President
of Algeria, His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika,
in his capacity as
Chairman of the OAU, and the Prime Minister of
Portugal, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, in his
capacity as President of the European Council.
The Secretary General of the OAU, and the Secretary
General of the Council of the European Union/High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security
Policy also participated in the Summit. A representative
of the Secretary General of the United Nations attended
the Summit.
We solemnly declare that:
Over the centuries, ties have existed between Africa
and Europe, which have led to many areas of co-operation,
covering political, economic, social, as well as
cultural and linguistic domains. These have developed
on the basis of shared values of strengthening representative
and participatory democracy, respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, good
governance, pluralism, international peace and security,
political stability and confidence among nations.
In the light of the current rapid globalisation
trend, We are determined to strengthen this co-operation
in our mutual interest and make it more beneficial
to the two regions.
In order to give a new strategic dimension to the
global partnership between Africa and Europe for
the Twenty First Century, in a spirit of equality,
respect, alliance and co-operation between our regions,
We are committed to the basic objective of strengthening
the already existing links of political, economic
and cultural understanding through the creation
of an environment and an effective framework for
promoting a constructive dialogue on economic, political,
social and development issues.
I. REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND INTEGRATION
We stress the importance of regional economic co-operation
and integration as an efficient strategy for the
orderly and co-ordinated development of the African
continent. We recognise the important interrelation
between political stability, peace and security
on one hand and regional integration on the other.
We commend the leaders of the African continent
for adopting a number of declarations, plans and
programmes, as well as treaties which constitute
an appropriate framework for the collective promotion
of the development of their countries, which include
the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos
of 1980, and the Treaty Establishing the African
Economic Community of 1991 (the Abuja Treaty), which
came into force in May 1994, and the Sirte Declaration
adopted at the OAU Extraordinary Summit, Libya in
September 1999, on the African Union.
We note the progress made in regional integration
in Europe and in Africa and recognise that regional
integration can be an important step towards beneficial
participation in the world economy. We welcome the
decision taken at the OAU Extraordinary Summit on
the African Union in Sirte, Libya in September 1999
to realise the African commitment to regional integration
and to consolidate and strengthen the regional economic
communities as the building blocks for achieving
the objectives of the African Economic Community.
We note the efforts to establish an Euro-Mediterranean
Free Trade Area and, in the framework of the just
concluded ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, to create
integrated economic areas between the EU and Africa,
consistent with the objective of enhancing the economic
integration of Africa. In addition, the priorities
for action adopted by the Summit will be promoted
through the current ministerial discussions between
the European Union and the African countries in
the framework of the new ACP-EU Partnership Agreement
and the Barcelona Process. These discussions will
maintain their present format and regularity.
We stress the need to promote close co-operation
between the EU and African regional integration
institutions, notably the African Economic Community
(AEC), in the context of facilitating the sharing
of experiences and institutional strengthening of
the AEC and the regional economic communities (RECs).
In that regard, it is worth recalling the OAU document:
Relaunching Africa's Economic and Social Development:
The Cairo Agenda for Action of 1995.
I. INTEGRATING AFRICA INTO THE WORLD ECONOMY
Trade
We welcome the progress made in recent years towards
more outward-oriented economies by a large number
of African countries and we pledge our support to
these policies, in such a way as to encourage competitive
advantages, economic growth, sustainable development
and social stability in Africa.
We recall that Africa and the EU have traditionally
been important trade partners and We affirm our
commitment to strengthen this partnership by removing
progressively barriers to trade between both sides,
including non-tariff barriers, and enhancing co-operation
in all trade related areas, building on regional
integration initiatives existing within Africa and
in line with the goals and objectives of the Abuja
Treaty with a view to ensuring the further development
of Africa's economic and industrial potential. With
respect to African Least Developed Countries, We
recognise the need for enhanced market access for
essentially all their products on a duty-free and
quota-free basis.
We agree to address difficulties, which may emanate
from the application of sanitary and phytosanitary
measures, anti-dumping and countervailing duties
against the products of African countries.
We confirm that the current trend towards liberalisation
and globalisation poses serious challenges to African
countries in an era of a continuous decline in Africa's
share of world trade. We agree on the need to define
policies that maximise the benefits from further
world trade liberalisation for African countries
and that reverse the present trend of marginalisation
that African countries are experiencing in the world
economy.
We reaffirm our commitment to trade liberalisation
in the framework of a rules-based multilateral trading
system from which all nations should benefit. We
recommend to all countries, which are not yet members
of the WTO, to consider such membership. We are
convinced that a new round of multilateral trade
negotiations should take account of the particular
constraints of developing countries, including those
in Africa, and allow for their smooth and gradual
integration into the world economy. In this context,
We agree to co-operate so as to ensure that in the
framework of multilateral trade negotiations special
attention is paid to products, including processed
agricultural products, which are of export interest
to developing countries, in particular Africa.
We underline the importance of special and differential
treatment for developing countries, particularly
in Africa, within the WTO and the need for the effective
implementation for such measures. In this context,
We support the call for special consideration to
be given to countries facing sudden unforeseeable
critical economic situations.
We underline the need for African countries for
a comprehensive assistance in the area of diversification,
both vertical and horizontal, which is instrumental
to enhance their effective participation in the
new international trade system. We agree to identify
and take proactive measures to enable Africa build
its production and supply capacities and to support
Africa's efforts to make its exports more competitive.
Private Sector Development
We recognise that the private sector has been identified
as the engine of growth and that it requires domestic
and foreign private investment flows for sustainable
growth. Accordingly, We commit ourselves to the
creation of a conducive environment in Africa for
an enhanced private sector development, including
macro and micro economic foundations of competitiveness.
We consider that in order to ensure sustainable
development, an improved public-private sector dialogue
will have to take place, to better define their
respective roles and responsibilities in economic,
social and environmental development, and to involve
the business community in the implementation of
productive oriented activities.
We also support the institution of effective programmes
for the accelerated development and strengthening
of the domestic private sector in Africa through
capacity building measures.
While recognising the role of the private sector,
We are equally committed to strengthening the public
sector to create the necessary enabling environment
for sustainable development.
Investment
We are deeply concerned about the decline of foreign
investment flows to Africa, especially those of
private origin.
We acknowledge that African countries have continued
to reform their economies and provided attractive
investment codes for promoting investment flows.
We encourage them to further their efforts to that
effect.
We reiterate the need for closer co-operation to
fight against capital flight from Africa, especially
to offshore financial centres.
We agree to encourage foreign direct investment
(FDI) in Africa and to promote Europe-Africa co-operation
in this field.
We recognise the importance of enhancing South-South
co-operation through triangular mechanisms, building
capacity in business management, exchange of experience,
as well as support for joint ventures, mergers and
acquisitions.
Resources for Development
We welcome the commitments to sustain the ODA flows
to Africa, and to provide debt relief with a view
to releasing additional resources for poverty reduction
strategies.
We reaffirm the role of macroeconomic stability
as a fundamental precondition for mobilising both
domestic and international financial resources.
Only stable, predictable and equitable macro-economic
policies, in conjunction with necessary structural
reforms, can create a climate conducive to economic
growth. We recognise the important achievements
realised on this front in many countries in recent
years as decreasing inflation rates and the better
trends of growth presently show.
We encourage all partners of development co-operation,
donors as well as beneficiaries, to organise their
development assistance more effectively, to work
for enhanced co-ordination and complementarity,
inter alia, by harmonising and simplifying procedures.
We recognise that concessionary resources (of the
ODA type) are required in order to address as a
priority, the structural rigidities that constrain
Africa's development effort, especially the development
of human resources capacities and poverty alleviation
as well as in the expansion of physical infrastructure
and production capacities.
In this context, We recognise that financial resources
commensurate with the needs for Africa's development
are required and that sustained efforts should continue
to be made to create the necessary conditions for
increasing Foreign Direct Investment and mobilising
external and internal resources, in particular of
private origin. Consequently and on that basis,
We agree that efforts should be intensified with
a view to meeting the internationally agreed targets
for development oriented resource transfers.
Infrastructural Problems and Industrial Base
We note that the infrastructural problems facing
Africa, particularly in the areas of transport,
communications energy, and water supply have been
major constraints on the continent's growth and
development. We agree that the inadequacy of domestic
and foreign resources for the building, maintenance
and up-grading of required infrastructure and networks
are at the root of this problem, and therefore We
have to intensify our efforts to enhance the flow
of domestic and foreign resources, including those
on concessional terms and to promote the effective
use of new financial arrangements, with the involvement
of the private sector.
We note, with serious concern, that at the start
of the Twenty-First Century, Africa's industrial
and technological base is either non-existent or
weak. In view of the critical role that industrial
development should play in Africa's integration
into the global economy, We agree to support more
effectively the continent's industrial development
efforts, so as to increase its competitiveness.
Research and Technology
We recognise that knowledge, research and technology
underpin all development efforts. Integration into
the world economy, the fight against poverty and
the protection of the environment require improved
access to and use of knowledge and technologies.
We acknowledge that for Africa to meet the challenges
of globalisation and attain sustainable development,
the strengthening of its technological capacity
especially in such areas as information technology,
education, and technology information centres is
critical.
We will promote, in the context of globalisation
and the progress of the information society, new
forms of dialogue and scientific and technological
co-operation, as well as trade in services as important
factors for closer economic ties between both regions.
In this regard, special attention shall be given
to building and strengthening the institutional
infrastructure to enhance technological transfers
and development in Africa.
External Debt
We observe with deep concern that in spite of various
efforts to address the debt crisis at the national,
regional and international levels, Africa's external
debt has grown at a very high rate. It has grown
by about 12 percent per annum from about 110 billion
US Dollars in 1980 to about 350 billion US Dollars
since then.
We acknowledge with concern that one of the consequences
is that Africa is having less access to private
capital markets and has suffered a fall in investors'
confidence which has had a negative impact on economic
growth, sustainable development and poverty eradication
on the continent.
We also consider that the existing measures and
mechanisms aiming at the alleviation of the African
debt overhang shall be appropriately evaluated as
far as their modalities and implementation are concerned
taking into account their impact on all African
needs, especially those of middle income countries
with regard to their debt servicing capacity and
eventually find equitable solutions. We wish therefore
to see a more determined and constructive involvement
of all creditors in bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
We welcome the recent enhancement of the Heavily
Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, which was
launched in 1996, as well as measures taken by EU
Member States, with the aim of helping to relieve
the debt burden of the poorest countries committed
to fighting poverty and are pursuing economic reform
programmes. We acknowledge the decision taken at
the G-7 Cologne summit and the annual meeting of
the IMF and IBRD to provide faster, deeper and broader
debt relief to the countries belonging to the HIPC
group. We call upon donors to swiftly translate
pledges into actual commitments.
We welcome the decision to allocate 1 billion Euros
out of the European Development Fund for debt relief
in the framework of the Enhanced HIPC initiative
and note that African countries will be the main
beneficiaries of this decision. This initiative
will provide additional resources for poverty reduction
strategies. We also welcome bilateral contributions
to the HIPC initiative.
We call on all creditors involved in the HIPC initiative
to take the necessary action to allow for them to
provide for their proportional share of debt relief
in a timely fashion. Debt relief must be accompanied
by sufficient efforts concerning official development
assistance.
We acknowledge that the success of any debt relief
initiatives depends on the implementation of the
necessary economic reform measures, and in this
regard We encourage the African countries to continue
to implement such reforms, to institute good governance
and to commit themselves to ring-fencing savings
from debt relief for poverty alleviation, including
the improvement of the social sectors and the rehabilitation
of infrastructures. In this context, We commit ourselves
to the globally agreed target of poverty reduction
by half by the year 2015.
We take note of the Sirte Declaration of 9 September
1999 that mandated the Presidents of Algeria and
South Africa to engage Africa's creditors with the
objective of achieving the total cancellation of
Africa's external debt.
We note the African position on the issue of external
debt, which seeks debt relief and cancellation for
all indebted African countries in order to create
an enabling environment for sustainable development.
In this regard, We agree to intensify our co-operation
dialogue both among ourselves and with other creditors.
Co-operation in International For a
We are determined to work together for the improvement
of international understanding and co-operation
for development and human progress. We reaffirm
our commitment to co-operate closely in identifying
and furthering common interests in international
organisations, major global conferences and fora.
We reaffirm the importance of working towards the
attainment of the goals and objectives adopted in
major international conferences organised under
the United Nations' auspices.
I. HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND INSTITUTIONS,
GOOD GOVERNANCE ANDTHE RULE OF LAW
Human Rights
We reaffirm that democratisation, development and
the protection of fundamental freedoms and human
rights are inter-related and mutually reinforcing.
We reaffirm our commitment to promote and protect
all human rights including the right to development
and fundamental freedoms taking into account their
universal, interdependent and indivisible character,
as confirmed by our commitment to the Charter of
the United Nations and the Universal Declaration
on Human Rights. We acknowledge that the responsibility
and accountability for establishing and maintaining
such an environment lies primarily with the Governments
concerned and requires the broad participation of
civil society. We support the endeavour to improve
the national capacities to promote and protect all
human rights.
We express our deepest concern over the massive
violations of human rights and humanitarian law,
and, in particular, the phenomena of racism, genocide
and ethnic cleansing. We condemn all such acts and
pledge to co-operate with relevant institutions
set up to prosecute and try the perpetrators.
We welcome the signing of the Rome Treaty establishing
the International Criminal Court with a view to
prosecuting crimes against humanity, genocide and
war crimes. We urge all States to sign and ratify
the Statute.
We welcome the holding of the UN Conference on
Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance, to take place in South Africa in 2001,
and the holding of the Regional Conference in Senegal.
We also welcome the adoption of the Grand Bay Declaration
and Plan of Action on Human Rights in Africa, as
well as the adoption of the Protocol establishing
an African Court for Human and People's Rights,
which complements the African Commission on Human
and People's Rights.
We underline the need to combat gender based discrimination
and violations against the rights of women in all
forms, thus honouring the Beijing Platform of Action
and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women and We agree
to include a gender perspective into policies and
programmes, where appropriate, in particular in
education and awareness raising, as well as on the
need for legislative action.
We reiterate our firm commitment and the particular
importance that needs to be placed on the protection
and promotion of the rights of the child in accordance
with the UN Convention on the rights of the child.
We will support the ongoing work in the United Nations
on additional protocols on the Rights of the Child.
We also welcome the African Charter on the Rights
and Welfare of the Child.
Democratic Principles and Institutions
We reaffirm our commitment to continue to consolidate
democracy in our countries. We recognise the right
of sovereign states to establish their own constitutional
arrangements and to institute their own administrative
structures according to their history, culture,
tradition and social and ethnic composition.
We recognise the need to consolidate democratic
principles, based on the rights of all citizens,
men and women, to freely choose their political
leaders through free and fair periodic elections,
as well as the need for the existence of an appropriate
constitutional, legislative and regulatory system.
We condemn all anti-democratic forms of accession
to power, and reaffirm the supreme and inalienable
right of our people to fully participate in the
process of government, through their democratically
elected representatives. We welcome the decision
adopted by the OAU at the OAU Summit in Algiers
in July 1999 on unconstitutional changes of government
in Africa.
We reaffirm our attachment to the principles of
good governance and rule of law. In our endeavour
to promote good governance and rule of law, We express
our determination, inter alia, to prevent and combat
all forms of corruption in our countries.
Civil Society
We recognise the need to provide for greater inclusion
of civil society in all areas of our Partnership.
In this context We emphasise the need for greater
participation of the citizen in decision-making
concerning the management and allocation of resources,
whilst respecting the diverse and complementary
roles of the State, decentralised local authorities
and the other society actors concerned.
Migration
We acknowledge that a comprehensive and integrated
approach is needed to tackle the issue of migration
and the separate but related issue of asylum, and
will co-operate in this field. The loss of skilled
migrants from Africa constitutes a continental brain-drain
problem. We underline the need for co-operation
to address the root causes of migration both in
countries of origin and transit and in recipient
countries.
We support the principle of Free Movement of Persons
in the spirit of the Abuja Treaty, which encourages
OAU Member States to adopt employment policies that
allow the free movement of persons within the African
Economic Community through the establishment and
strengthening of labour exchanges that ensure optimal
redistribution of skilled manpower.
Xenophobia
We express our deep concern over the phenomenon
of xenophobia. It is agreed that the African and
the European states will further collaborate on
the issue of the reciprocal integration of migrants
as well as on migrants' rights and xenophobia.
We recognise the need for measures to secure the
respect, the dignity and protection of migrants'
rights, to which they are entitled under agreed
international conventions.
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)
We note with concern the increasingly large numbers
of refugees and IDPs in Africa and the problems
that have been encountered by host countries, as
a result of the influx of 6 million refugees and
about 20 million internally displaced persons on
the continent. We reaffirm our will to continue
to provide substantial assistance to those refugees
and internally displaced persons, and to support
their repatriation and reintegration, in conformity
with international humanitarian law and, more specifically,
using relevant OAU Conventions as an important guide
in addressing the specific aspects of refugee problems
in Africa.
We emphasise the role of the UNHCR and human rights
organisations, and the right of asylum seekers to
protection.
We condemn the systematic tactic by parties to
armed conflicts of displacing the civilian population.
We affirm the principle that in order to enhance
their own security as well as that of humanitarian
personnel, efforts should be made to locate refugees
at a reasonable distance from international borders
in camps of limited size. We support all efforts
by UNHCR and other relevant actors to safeguard
the civilian and humanitarian character of such
refugee camps.
I. PEACE-BUILDING, CONFLICT PREVENTION, MANAGEMENT
AND RESOLUTION
We reaffirm our commitment to the principles contained
in the Charter of the UN, Article 2, notably the
principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity,
political independence and non-intervention in internal
affairs. We acknowledge that the parties concerned
bear the primary responsibility for preventing,
managing and resolving internal armed conflicts.
We also reaffirm that the UN Security Council has
the primary responsibility for the maintenance of
international peace and security.
We reaffirm our commitment to settle disputes by
peaceful means, and to renounce recourse to the
threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent
with the UN Charter, or against the national territory
of another State, including the acquisition of territory
by force. We stress the importance of facilitating
the return to non-violent, stable and self-sustaining
situations. We believe that effective policies of
peace-building and conflict prevention necessitate
the establishment of an international culture of
prevention.
We recognise that peace, security, stability and
justice are essential prerequisites for socio-economic
development. We commend and fully support the efforts
being deployed by the OAU, including those aimed
at strengthening its Mechanism for Conflict Prevention,
Management and Resolution, to promote and sustain
peace, security and stability in Africa.
We underline that further efforts are needed to
prevent violent conflict at the earliest stages
by addressing their root-causes in a targeted manner
and with an adequate combination of all available
instruments. We further recognise the need to strengthen
the international capacity for early response and
the ability of regional and international organisations
to take immediate action to prevent further conflicts
when noting signs of rising tensions.
We welcome the Algiers Summit Decision proclaiming
the year 2000 as year of peace and security. We
also welcome the Sirte Summit decision to convene
an African Ministerial Conference on Security, Stability,
Development and Co-operation on the Continent, to
be held in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2000.
We are committed to fully implementing international
humanitarian law and call upon all parties to armed
conflict to respect and ensure respect of international
humanitarian law. This includes protection of civilian
populations affected by armed conflicts, as enshrined
in international agreements. We are also committed
to ensuring the security of relief workers, to facilitate
access to populations in need and to eliminate any
hurdles for humanitarian agencies.
Post-conflict Assistance and Disarmament, Demobilisation
and Reintegration
We agree that the main objective in post-conflict
situations must be to help countries in crisis to
end dependency on emergency aid and return to a
path of development. We acknowledge the need in
post-conflict situations for urgent disarmament,
demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants,
in particular child soldiers. We also recognise
that problems such as environmental consequences
of conflicts must be addressed in a comprehensive
integrated framework.
We will continue to collaborate in developing and
providing our financial support for programmes of
disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration; in
particular, to provide vocational training to former
and demobilised combatants. This could be associated
with the development of programmes for the effective
management and the eventual destruction of accumulated
small arms and light weapons.
Terrorism
We reaffirm our unreserved condemnation of terrorism
in all its forms, wherever and whenever it occurs,
whatever its motives and origin, our opposition
to making concessions to terrorist demands and our
determination to prevent those committing terrorist
crimes from deriving any benefit whatsoever from
their acts.
We express our deep concern over the scope and
seriousness of the phenomenon of terrorism and the
dangers it poses to the stability and the security
of our states and to the physical integrity of our
people. We reiterate that terrorism constitutes
a serious violation of human rights and impedes
socio-economic development through destabilisation
of our states. We express our conviction that terrorism
cannot be justified under any circumstances. We
express our determination to eliminate terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations. In so doing,
We will be guided by the principles of international
law and UN relevant conventions. We welcome the
OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of
Terrorism, adopted by the 35th OAU Summit in Algiers
in July 1999.
We welcome the Egyptian initiative supported by
the OAU Summit in Algiers, to convene a UN Summit
to address this dangerous phenomenon.
We will strengthen our co-operation in preventing
and combating terrorism, guided by the principles
of international law and relevant conventions.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
We are deeply concerned by the huge influx of arms
and military equipment to conflict areas. We acknowledge
that the illicit, excessive and destabilising accumulation
and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light
weapons poses a threat to peace and security on
the African continent. We are committed to address
the problem of small arms in Africa, taking into
account the supply side, and to destroy stocks of
such arms and weapons. In this regard, We pledge
to fully co-operate at international fora, to combat
the problem of illicit trafficking and proliferation
of small arms and light weapons.
We welcome the International UN Conference on the
Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in
all its Aspects, to be held in 2001. We also welcome
the initiatives taken at the regional level, in
particular, the ECOWAS moratorium on the import,
export and manufacture of light weapons in its sub-region,
similar SADC and East African initiatives, as well
as the setting up of an EU-SADC joint working group
on small arms.
Landmines
We express our deep concern over the problem of
landmines and renew our commitment to resolving
it.
The parties to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition
of Use, Stockpiling, Transport and Production of
Anti-Personnel Landmines and on their Destruction
welcome the convening of the first Continental Conference
of African Experts on Landmines in South Africa
in May 1997. They also welcome the Maputo Declaration
that concluded the first meeting of the States Parties
held in Mozambique in May 1999.
We will pursue our efforts within the framework
of the CCW (Certain Conventional Weapons) and the
protocols annexed thereto as well as the Ottawa
Convention, and will continue to do so within all
other relevant international, regional and sub-regional
fora.
In this regard, We stress the need for intensifying
efforts in the fields of mines clearance, assistance
thereto, as well as with respect to mine victims
and mine awareness.
We will continue to co-operate towards a comprehensive
resolution of the landmine problem in Africa, in
particular by addressing the issue of the removal
of existing landmines. We call on those states in
a position to do so, in particular States involved
in the deployment of mines, to provide the necessary
technical and financial assistance for landmine
clearance operations and rehabilitation of victims.
The 2000 Review Conference of the NPT
We reiterate our common commitment to contribute
to the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime
and nuclear disarmament.
The 2000 Review Conference of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will be an
important milestone to assess the progress achieved
during the past five years in the implementation
of the Treaty. In this regard, We emphasise the
importance of the three decisions and one resolution
adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference.
We stress our intent to work closely in order to
conduct a comprehensive review of the implementation
of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons with a view to achieving a successful outcome
of the 2000 Review Conference, bearing in mind the
fundamental importance of the three decisions and
the resolution adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension
Conference, and considering the peaceful use of
nuclear technologies and the establishment of new
nuclear weapon free zones, in accordance with the
relevant UNGA resolutions, among the States of the
region concerned.
We emphasise the importance of the PELINDABA Treaty
signed in Cairo, establishing the African continent
as a nuclear weapon free zone.
Conflicts in Africa
We note with great concern the persistence of numerous
conflicts in Africa, which continue to cause in
a great number of them loss of human life as well
as destruction of infrastructure and property. These
conflicts threaten peace, stability, regional and
international security and hinder the aspirations
of African peoples to peace, prosperity and development,
in particular in Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Sudan and Western Sahara.
In this regard, We reaffirm our determination to
support the rapid and equitable implementation of
the peace plans and settlement plans adopted by
the UN and/or the OAU, as well as the efforts of
the UN and the OAU, with a view to finding peaceful
and durable solutions to all conflicts, in accordance
with principles of international law, UN Charter
and, where appropriate, relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions, and OAU Charter.
I. DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Challenges to Sustainable Development in Africa
and Poverty Eradication
We deplore the intolerable fact that more than
half of all Africans are living in absolute poverty
and agree to intensify the fight against poverty.
The primary responsibility for alleviating poverty
lies at home with each country, but this does not
diminish the importance of the international dimension
in the war against poverty.
We confirm that accelerated economic growth and
sustainable development are basic prerequisites
for poverty eradication in Africa within its quest
for the attainment of sustainable human development
as an ultimate goal of the continent's development
aspirations. We note that poverty eradication, as
an objective is a multi-sectoral issue, which encompasses
social development through improvements in such
priority sectors as education, health, food security,
water and rural development. We also support the
efficient allocation of resources that provide adequately
for the social sectors, including in national budgets.
We note that conservative estimates require that
African economies achieve growth rates of at least
7 percent to significantly reduce poverty. We confirm
that in Africa's present economic circumstances,
this is an enormous challenge relative to the mutually
accepted international goal of reducing the proportion
of the population living in extreme poverty by at
least one-half by the year 2015. We observe that
while poverty remains widespread in Africa, there
is the need of improving income distribution through
poverty-alleviation strategies and policies such
as improving the magnitude and quality of social
services expenditure, revitalisation of rural economies,
and the development and financing of micro, small
and medium enterprises.
We note that notwithstanding the above, social
safety nets should be provided to protect the extremely
poor segments of the population.
Investment in Human Resources – Education
We recognise the need and are committed to support
an approach to education that is explicitly targeted
at poverty eradication, and increasing the focus
on sector wide approaches to education, which include
the achievement of universal primary education,
and to increase co-ordination among donors to this
end.
We recognise the primacy of human resource development
for sustainable and equitable development in Africa.
We support the high priority to the building of
national and regional capacities in the area of
science and technology. We support the need to formulate
effective national policies for education and training
in science and technology for development, with
emphasis on the liberalisation of technology flows
and the promotion of indigenous technologies on
national and regional level. We support the need
to create a suitable environment for the retention
of African experts within the continent. We also
support the need for each African country to devote
at least 1% of its GDP to the development of science
and technology, and networking national and regional
institutions.
We reaffirm that an integral part of human resource
development is the elimination of gender-based discrimination,
and the support of children's rights as enshrined
in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
and in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare
of the Child. We support the implementation of the
programme of action for the Education Decade (1997
- 2006).
Investment in Human Resources - Health
We note with deep concern the prevalence of poverty
and high population growth rates, and that a high
number of African States have witnessed inadequate
and declining health facilities and services. We
pledge to work towards the eradication of endemic,
parasitic and infectious diseases such as malaria,
tuberculosis, polio and river blindness, which have
retarded the quality, and productivity of Africa's
human resources.
We note with deep concern the problem posed by
the growing threat of HIV/AIDS, which has now infected
more than 36 million people world-wide with the
largest majority in Africa and among the poorest
populations. We recognise that the HIV/AIDS pandemic
is no longer just a health issue but a serious threat
to development.
We commit ourselves to devising appropriate actions
and initiatives in order to assist African countries
in promoting national drug policies, the rational
use of pharmaceutical drugs and access to affordable
essential drugs, including the promotion of research
and the registration of new treatment regimes, and
the use of anti-retrovirals in the prevention of
mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS, as contained
in the Dakar (1992) and Tunis (1994) Heads of State
and Government Declarations on HIV/AIDS.
Food Security
We recognise that economic performance and poverty
eradication are strongly linked to food security
in Africa, which includes issues such as agricultural
development, fisheries, livestock, and forestry
development. To address this problem, We believe
it is necessary to improve access to and availability
of food, as well as ensure adequate nutritional
quality. We express deep concern that in spite of
the fact that Africa is predominantly an agrarian
and pastoral continent, food availability at household
level is insufficient to ensure food security.
We recognise the role women play in many African
countries in food production and food security.
We agree on the need to take concrete steps to
ensure that agricultural promotion is not excessively
centred on traditional export commodities, and that
food crops, especially those produced and consumed
by poor people, should be given particular attention.
We agree on the need to support overall food security
and nutrition strategies adopted by Africa and to
enhance co-operation in these areas.
We recognise that the use of environmentally sound
food production technologies and sustainable management
of natural resources contribute to permanent improvement
of food security. We will support investment in
research in the areas of high yield crops as well
as durable modes of preservation and storage.
Environment
We recognise that environmental factors have become
increasingly important to Africa's development.
The rate of degradation of the natural resource
base poses a grave problem in various regions for
current and longer-term development.
We recognise that the primary responsibility for
identifying and responding to environmental issues
lies with the countries concerned themselves. We
affirm our commitment to co-operate in combating
environmental problems. We, therefore, place emphasis
on a strategic and participatory approach for the
elaboration and implementation of national strategies
for sustainable development and, through this process,
integration of environmental issues into national
development programmes.
Particular emphasis must be given to the implementation
of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and
to the sustainable use of scarce water and soil,
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the
Convention on Biological Diversity, Agenda 21, the
Kyoto Protocol and the African Common Position on
Environment and Development. We also recognise the
need to improve international co-operation, co-ordination
and coherence to promote integration of environmental
issues into other relevant policy sectors. Furthermore,
there is a need to ensure both nationally and internationally
that trade and environmental policies play a mutually
supportive role in favour of sustainable development.
Although predominantly rural in nature, Africa
is currently the fastest urbanising continent, and
the consequences of this shift, and its impact on
the environment, need to be recognised in rural
and urban development strategies. Other issues,
which require attention, include sustainable forestry,
transboundary environmental problems and soil and
water degradation.
We note with deep concern the problem of soil erosion
and water degradation. We commit to put in place
capacity building measures for the effective means
of monitoring these environmental problems in Africa.
We recognise that natural disasters have severe
impact on many African countries, which adversely
affects the prospect of economic growth and sustainable
development. We will therefore continue to co-operate
actively with competent international organisations,
building on the experience gained under the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
We affirm our commitment to co-operate with the
African States in combating environmental problems
through the provision of financial and technical
assistance and in the support of national co-ordinating
strategy to integrate environmental issues into
national development programmes. According to relevant
international conventions, We also agree on the
prohibition of the export of hazardous waste to
Africa.
Drug Abuse and Trafficking
We note with deep concern the problem of drug abuse
and trafficking as a global phenomenon which reinforces
crime, spreads diseases and reduces the productivity
of human resources, especially through the negative
impact on the youth of our countries. The need to
control this situation is accentuated owing to the
fragile socio-economic environment in Africa.
We agree on the need to combat the supply and consumption
of illicit and psychotropic drugs and to offer the
population a lawful alternative to the growing of
illicit crops, and stress the need for strengthened
co-operation to combat drug abuse, illicit drug
production and trafficking as well as the monitoring
of trade in precursors, chemical products and psychotropic
substances. To this end We agree to implement the
pertinent recommendations of the 20th Special Session
of the UN General Assembly aimed at reducing substantially
the illicit drug phenomenon.
Cultural Issues
We pledge to accord importance to cultural cooperation
between Africa and Europe as an integral aspect
of development. With regard to cultural goods stolen
or exported illicitly, We have taken note of the
concerns of African States and request senior officials
of the bi-regional group to examine the legal and
practical consequences of further action in this
area and prepare a report for assessment at ministerial
level in the framework of the follow-up mechanism,
within reasonable time.
