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Annan Urges to Help Development in Africa - UN Secretary General - Global Policy Forum Annan Urges to Help Development in Africa
Xinhua News Agency
July 11, 2000
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged the rest of the world, especially the developed countries, to provide assistance to promote development in Africa.
Addressing the 36th summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) here on Monday, Annan said the industrialized countries are obliged to ensure that Africa has a fair chance to compete in the new global economy by opening their markets to African products.
"They should halt their subsidized exports which drive African farmers out of business," he said. "They should cancel debts so that African governments no longer have to repay them at the expense of the people's health and education."
Annan pointed out that Africa, which is home to 33 of the world 's least developed countries, is the only region where conflicts are not decreasing.
"Africa contains almost half of the world refugees and internally displaced persons," he said, adding that the impact of HIV/AIDS has made the economic growth impossible though a growth rate is witnessed.
He urged the international community to pay attention to the epidemic in Africa because it can not be isolated from issues of peace and security.
"We must all speak up and join the fight against AIDS. We must speak up particularly with the leaders for silence means death," he said, noting that the epidemic killed more Africans than all the conflicts in the continent last year alone.
The secretary-general praised the OAU in maintaining peace in the continent with the help of sub-regional networks. The OAU has shown great assistance in making peace between its member states, he said.
"Taking power by unconstitutional means is no longer welcome. I look forward to the day when the General Assembly of the United Nations take the same principled stand and follow the lead of the OAU," he said.
He encouraged Africa to promote education, economic development and good governance.
More than 30 African heads of state and government are here in a three-day summit meeting which is focused mainly on regional cooperation and integration, security and stability, and the challenges of widespread AIDS and poverty in Africa.
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