Opening speech for the annual meeting of the Economic Commission for Africa: delivered by Mr Mandisi B M Mpahlwa, deputy minister of finance, republic of South Africa

Abstract

This Opening speech delivered by Mr. Mandisi B M Mpahlwa, deputy minister of finance, Republic of South Africa at the annual meeting of the Economic Commission for Africa, 2002 Johannesburg, South Africa 16 October 2002. Mr. B M Mpahlwa, on his remarks highlighted that, Africa has embarked on a multi-tiered process of economic renaissance. The establishment of the African Union and the elaboration of the New Partnership for Africa's Development reflect a new level of commitment to realizing our ambitions to bring our continent into a new age of peace, security, stability, economic growth, development and prosperity. Forums such as this one provide the opportunity for us as African Finance Ministers and Deputies to make good on our end of the partnership not because anybody say so, to show leadership in identifying and resolving the serious challenges confronting us. African Finance Ministers and Deputies, we must realize that the economic prosperity and welfare of our people depend on us breathing life into the notions of ‘partnership’ and ‘ownership.