Draft report of the fifth meeting of the conference of ministers of African least developed countries

Abstract

The Fifth Meeting of the Conference of Ministers of African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) was convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 23-24, 1985. The meeting was inaugurated by Comrade Mersie Ejigu, a high-ranking official of Ethiopia's Workers' Party, alongside representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). In his opening remarks, Comrade Ejigu highlighted the multifaceted nature of Africa's socio-economic crisis, emphasizing the critical challenges in agricultural production, food security, and external debt. He noted the severe impact of persistent drought, declining food aid, and rising cereal prices, which exacerbated the vulnerability of African LDCs. Ejigu stressed that 16 out of 24 most affected countries bore the brunt of these crises, underscoring the urgent need for radical measures to address the deteriorating agricultural sector and food availability. He called for African nations to take ownership of their development challenges, echoing the sentiment that the primary responsibility for transforming LDC economies lies with the LDCs themselves. The meeting underscored the pressing need for collective action and self-reliance to overcome the continent's deepening socio-economic struggles.