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Migiro urges scaled-up support for Africa’s efforts to meet development goals

Migiro urges scaled-up support for Africa’s efforts to meet development goals

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today appealed for enhanced support for Africa as the continent endeavours to reach the internationally agreed anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 deadline.

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today appealed for enhanced support for Africa as the continent endeavours to reach the internationally agreed anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 deadline.

Addressing the high-level Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Ms. Migiro warned that no African nation is on track to achieve all the Goals, calling for urgent action.

“With a concerted drive by African governments and their development partners, we can accomplish these goals for a better world,” she told the more than 40 African Heads of State who had gathered in Yokohama for the event, which is being hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

The three-day event – co-organized by the Japanese Government, the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank – kicked off today with the theme, “Towards a vibrant Africa: A continent of hope and opportunity.”

Participants, who also include high-level representatives from Asia and other regions, as well as heads of international agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will discuss how to ensure that Africa’s robust economic growth is self-sustaining and inclusive to allow poor communities to reap benefits.

The Conference will also confer on how to boost human security to allow people to live in dignity, free from fear and want.

Launched in Tokyo in 1993, TICAD aims to promote Africa development through ownership by the continent and stresses the importance of Asia-Africa cooperation.