Africa enjoys some gains in 2002 despite sluggish economic growth – UN official

Despite a sluggish economic growth rate in 2002, Africa has seen a number of positive developments in recent months, including the implementation of a new initiative that stresses peace and stability, good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, a senior United Nations official said today.

Progress on the continent include implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), particularly on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), to which 12 countries have so far signed up, and also the commitments made by development partners to increase aid levels, said K.Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Mr. Amoako, speaking at the opening of a two-day meeting of development experts in Addis Ababa, said, however, little progress was made last year in reducing poverty as Africa’s economy grew at a modest 3.1 per cent in 2002, compared to 4.3 per cent the previous year.

He attributed the slowdown largely to the sluggish recovery of the global economy, decline in oil prices, drought conditions in certain parts of North, East and Southern Africa, and civil conflicts.

The experts’ meeting precedes an ECA-organized conference of African finance, planning and economic development ministers, focusing on the theme, “Towards greater policy coherence and mutual accountability for development effectiveness.” The conference, starting Sunday, is the first since government officials met last October in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In addition to reviewing and advising ECA’s programme of work, the experts will prepare the ministers for their discussion, which will focus on how the international development system can more effectively aid Africa’s battle against poverty.