UNITED
NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On
the Occasion of
Africa Industrialization Day
20 November
2001
Before adjourning
the meeting, I would like to remind you that tomorrow is Africa Industrialization
Day, which the
General Assembly observed since 1990. As no plenary meeting is scheduled
tomorrow, I now would like to make a
brief statement to commemorate 2001 Africa Industrialization Day.
For last ten years,
we have observed this Day in order to mobilize the commitment and resources
of the international
community in support of the industrialization of Africa.
I think it is very
appropriate that “the challenges of Africa’s industrialization
for the new Millennium” has been chosen
as the theme of this year’s observance. The new Millennium is being
shaped by the rapid process of globalization
driven by information and communication technologies. Globalization provides
us with both opportunities for
economic development and, at the same time, challenges which include,
inter-alia, marginalization of developing
countries. In particular, many African countries are among the most vulnerable
to such marginalization due to lack of
capacity and resources, persistent poverty, rampant HIV/AIDs, and chronic
conflicts.
Africa, therefore,
offers the most pressing and difficult challenges to the international
community. At the Millennium
Summit last year, world leaders resolved to address the challenges of
poverty eradication and sustainable
development in Africa. As President of the General Assembly, I likewise
accord high priority to issues of special
concern to Africa.
Industrialization
is a necessary stage along the path of development. In the era of globalization
and
liberalization,diversifying economies and enhancing competitiveness are
generally recognized as essential steps to
promote the sustained economic growth. Competitiveness of African enterprises
heavily depends on their
technological innovation, absorption and management capability. Access
to developed markets is also a perquisite of
sustainable development of Africa. In this regard, donors and developed
countries are urged to provide adequate
resources and technical assistance to African countries as well as beneficial
treatment for African products in order
to enhance the industrial capacity and market access of African producers.
At the same time,
the concepts of ownership and partnership should be seen as integral to
national development and
industrialization. African and other developing countries need to forge
partnerships that will enable them to attract
needed capital, technology, and expertise from both within and beyond
their borders. This, in turn, requires creating
investor-friendly business environments to stimulate macroeconomic growth,
to expand markets, to develop human
capital and to enhance technological capacity. In this regard, I wish
to commend the historic initiative of African
leaders in proclaiming the “New Partnership for African Development
(NEPAD)”. I believe the NEPAD frankly
addresses the stark realities of African development and holds out great
promise of success. Its great strength lies in
its comprehensive approach encompassing peace, security, good governance,
and economic development issues –
all of which are central to successful industrialization.As such, it deserves
the full support of the international
community.
I sincerely hope that
the United Nations system, which includes UNIDO with a mandate to promote
sustainable
industrial development, among others, will continue to work more closely
to mobilize resources and expertise in
support of the African-led endeavors.
On this Africa Industrialization
Day, I invite all of you to join the ongoing efforts to assist African
countries to adapt
their industrial policies to changing global conditions and to create
a supportive environment for sustainable
development.