The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

Welcome Address by H.E. Sir John R. Kaputin Secretary-General of the ACP Group at the International Conference “New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD): On the Right Track for Africa’s Development?”

Co-organized by KU-Leuven, UNU-CRIS and the ACP Secretariat, Wednesday, 30 November 2005 – Brussels, Belgium

Hon. Minister Bourgeois,
Prof. Mucavele,
My Co-organizers – Prof. Dr. Filip Abraham, Vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Leuven, and Prof. Dr. Luk Van Langenhove, Director of the United Nations University’s Centre for Regional Integration Studies,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a honour and privilege for the ACP Secretariat to co-organize this important International Conference with the University of Leuven and UNU-CRIS. I would like to thank all the participants for their commitment and willingness to participate, and we are all looking forward to substantive debates on NEPAD and its continued role in the development and advancement of the African continent.

We are also grateful to our sponsors, V.L.I.R and the Flemish Government, whose contributions made this conference possible.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The homegrown New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is the brainchild of the leaders of Africa, based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction to eradicate poverty, enhance sustainable growth and development, and to ensure participation in the world economy. Indeed, the significance of NEPAD is that it gives Africa an opportunity to establish a partnership with the industrialized countries based on equality.

NEPAD is a potential route to self-reliance for a continent battling to shake off the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, and to deal with poverty, famine, wars and infectious diseases such as HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. On the other hand, for the developed countries it is an opportunity
to establish a new relationship with Africa based on mutual economic gain, but also a leveling of the north/south playing fields, which will improve global security and reduce the perceived threat of mass migrations from the developing world.

Within the context of the ACP Group, the long-standing relationship based on history, unity and solidarity between Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific Regions of the Group will be utilized to assist in attaining the goals of NEPAD. An enhanced relationship with these two other ACP regions could have multiplier effects in areas of healthcare, education, social services, and stable democratic traditions for Africa. On the other hand, the Caribbean and Pacific regions of the ACP Group have also much to gain, and Africa can assist them to tailor some of the NEPAD goals to suit their respective regions.

Hon. Minister Bourgeois,
Prof. Mucavele,
My Co-organizers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ACP Group supports NEPAD, and collectively we will do our utmost to ensure that our mother continent takes its rightful place on the world stage – a beacon of hope, prosperity, development, peace and stability.

I wish you successful deliberations, and may this International conference become a signpost for the ideals and objectives of NEPAD.

I thank you.