11th session of RCM-Africa kicks off amidst calls to re-energize implementation of Agenda 21 and political commitment for sustainable development

Abstract

Despite the broad impacts of climate change and the multiple crises, including global financial crisis, food and energy crises which hampered development in Africa, the continent’s economic performance remained steadfast with growth projected at 4.8 percent, Deputy Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro said in Addis Ababa today. In remarks at the 11th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM-Africa), which she is co-chairing with the Chairperson of the African Union, Jean Ping, Ms. Migiro said, “the recently concluded MDGs Summit had sent a clear message, that the MDGs could be achieved, even in the least developed countries, if efforts are stepped up.” She said that the African Union, ECA and the African Development Bank, supported by the UN system agencies and development partners, had already begun to address the spectrum of issues raised at the Summit through various ways, including through last month’s Africa Development Forum (ADF) on Climate Change and Sustainable Development held in Addis Ababa.