PDF (2.0 MB)

cial crisis and there were concerns at the time that its effects wouldderail visible improvements in governance and economic growth inAfrica. This fear has receded but we are now in a period of tremendouschange for Africa. On the one hand, there is concern due toon-going events in North Africa but on the other hand there is hope.Concern because we do not know where all these events will leadus including in other parts of the continent, and hope because weknow that the reasons for the revolts in North Africa are linked todemands for increased democratic space, human rights and bettergovernance.There is also great optimism and increased confidence in Africa’sprospects by the African people. Our economies are growing includingin the aftermath of the global economic and financial crisis attheir fastest and most consistent rates since the late 1970s. Theseencouraging signs are being matched by welcome if uneven progressin achieving the Millennium Development Goals and informed engagementof Africa in international processes such as the climatechange negotiations and, indeed, in the G20 although the continentstill remains under-represented in this very important global forum.These are all pointers to the fact that our partners also share in theoptimism and positive outlook for Africa. I sincerely hope that thisstrategic partners dialogue will lead to a concrete declaration of intentto accompany and encourage this upbeat scenario.A good starting point in this regard would be for our partners to assistand support the efforts of the pan-African institutions and RECsin tackling key continental challenges. There are several of them includingthe pressing and critical issue of climate change as well as thechallenges of gender equality and empowerment, maternal health,and trade. Permit me, however, to focus on two other issues of equalimportance. The case and rationale for integration in Africa has beenmade and continues to be reinforced through various steps and actionsbeing taken through the AU and RECs. However, this processneeds to be accompanied especially with the provision of first rateinfrastructure in the form of power plants, roads, railways and thelike to improve welfare, underpin production and facilitate trade.The experience of the Trans Africa Highway illustrates this point. Itwas started over a quarter of a century ago alongside similar projectsin Asia, Europe and Latin America and while all these have been com-Integrating Africa163