Discussion session on the Commission for Africa Report by UN Habitat’s Executive Director at FAO

Under the title “Our Common Interest: Will the report of the Commission for Africa make a difference?”, a discussion session was held at FAO headquarters in Rome on 27 May 2005 with the heads of Rome-based food agencies: FAO, IFAD, IPGRI and WFP.

The Executive Director of UN Habitat, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka who is also one of the 17 members of the Commission that drafted the report, made an opening speech referring to the Report as a set of interventions that can break the vicious cycle calling for more aid and for forward thinking through strategies that combine agriculture and urban development in Africa.

During the debate, the heads of Rome-based food agencies expressed their support towards the proposals made in the report by the Commissioners headed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. FAO Director General, Mr. Jacques Diouf stated as “common sense” the need for Africa’s development and that various factors needed to be addressed: small scale water harvesting at village level, infrastructures for strengthening access to markets, improvement of storage capacity, among other aspects. IFAD President, Mr. Lennart Bage, also supported the report although stressing that reference to resources for the rural sector is unclear and vague. He also advised the application not of a sole package of solution but specific ones according to each region. WFP’s Deputy Executive Director for Policy and External Affairs, Ms. Sheila Sisulu praised the analysis made in the report and applauded its timing although pointing out that actual action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals is lacking.

The Commission for Africa seeks to generate new ideas and action for a strong and prosperous Africa, using the 2005 British presidencies of the G8 and the European Union as a platform.

For more information on the Commission for Africa, please click here.

To download the report, please click here.