AUC/ECA Partners Dialogue: remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh,UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA

Abstract

Remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the AUC/ECA partners Dialogue. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, the ultimate purpose of our efforts in the AUC and ECA is to contribute to improving the lives of millions of ordinary Africans. This entails enabling them to overcome grinding poverty while living in peaceful conditions and having access to quality healthcare, educational services, nutrition and functional infrastructure amongst other things. African countries cannot achieve their development goals individually and need to integrate to reap economies of scale, overcome trans-boundary challenges and negotiate as one in global processes. One integrated African market with ease of movement of people and goods will be of mutual benefit just as common discourse on migration, transnational crime and peace and security issues can bring about viable solutions. The Joint AU/ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance and Economic Development is now the major platform for official dialogue on Africa’s development priorities and of course every body here knows that Africa will be speaking with one voice at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference later on this month.