UN chief urges intensified efforts to curb poverty in Africa
Date 2009/11/24 11:39:54 | Topic: Afran
| (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on African leaders and donors to make intensified efforts to fight against poverty in Africa.
The secretary-general made the appeal as he spoke at the launch of a new UN report which outlines steps to be taken by Africa and its development partners to help lift millions of people across the continent out of poverty.
The report by the Commission on Effective Development Cooperation with Africa calls for steps including creating an African Guarantee Fund in partnership with the African Development Bank.
"The report's recommendations are far-reaching. They include creating an African Guarantee Fund in partnership with the African Development Bank; ensuring access to energy; and unleashing the power of African entrepreneurship," Ban said.
"If they are implemented conscientiously, such steps will help mitigate the effects of the economic crisis," he said. "They could help to lift millions of people out of poverty."
He also welcomed the report's emphasis on youth employment and opportunities for young people.
Recent figures show that more than sixty per cent of those unemployed in Sub-Saharan Africa are under 24 years old.
"This terrible waste of human resources is visible on the streets of the continent's cities. Africa needs its young people to get to work on its behalf," the UN chief said.
He called on African leaders to "show the bold leadership required to intensify the fight against poverty," and urged the donor community to "help implement the report's recommendations, including through financial and technical aid."
"The United Nations will continue to be Africa's close and enduring partner in this important effort," he added.
Launched in 2008 by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the commission comprises heads of state and government, politicians, experts, representatives from international and regional organizations, as well as the business community, civil society and the academic world.
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