Madagascar, 2004

More than ever, Africa is making headlines in the

international community. Unfortunately, it is more

about crises, wars and problems of failing States that

are attracting the worldís attention. Yet, some positive

aspects do exist.

African countries are resolutely taking their

destiny into their own hands. Good governance is no

longer an empty word. Democracies are developing

and taking root. The fight against corruption is

seriously under way. In many States on the continent,

there is a strong willingness for peace, security and

stability, as well as better conditions for development.

African countries are deciding to unite in order to

strengthen their abilities. The African Union, the New

Partnership for Africaís Development (NEPAD), the

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the

Southern African Economic Community, as well as

other organizations, are becoming more and more

efficient in resolving conflicts on the African

continent. They are gradually gaining the respect of

their partners from Europe, America and Asia.

For its part, Madagascar has successfully

undertaken major reforms in order to ensure stable

democracy and good governance, to establish a trustful

policy, to protect freedom of the press, to decentralize

and evolve the administrationís functions and

responsibilities and, lastly, to encourage international

investment.

Madagascar is seeking to play an active and

efficient role in African and international

organizations. We strongly support the strengthening of

the United Nations. We endorse the enlargement of the

membership of the Security Council in order to have a

better balance between developed and developing

countries. It is high time for Africa to obtain a

permanent seat, and this is also the case for Germany,

Brazil, India and Japan, which are major contributors

to the United Nations.

Madagascar supports any effort to promote peace,

democracy and the rule of law in Africa. We are

devoted to good governance, respect for human rights

and the fight against terrorism in Madagascar and

elsewhere in Africa. Recent examples attest to our firm

political will, including Madagascarís strong support

for the declaration for free elections, signed in Port

Louis; its participation in the Moroni Agreement to re-

establish peace in the Comoros; and its signing of the

agreement on human rights in Geneva.

Madagascar has made great progress, which has

been recognized by international institutions and the

major Powers. Economic and political development has

become a reality in our country. However, we are also

threatened by natural disasters, such as cyclones, as

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well as by the rise in oil prices, by the debt burden and

by the lack of access to the markets of industrialized

countries. We are concerned by the slow

implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action

adopted by the international community in 2001. We

need more foreign investment on our continent, both in

the public and private sector.

I urge the Assembly to assume more

responsibility for a just and fair world and urge

Members to assume more responsibility for Africa.

Africa is ready to take its destiny into its own hands.

We are aware of our own responsibilities; however, we

must share them. The globalization of the economy

must go hand in hand with the globalization of

responsibilities.

We know of success stories relating to this kind

of responsibility. Nevertheless, we have experienced

some cases, mainly in Africa, where the world has

failed in its responsibilities with resulting tragic

repercussions. Let us look at the African continent. Do

not forget the catastrophes of the past nor overlook the

catastrophes of the present. But, above all, consider the

potential of our future. How will Africa look in 10 or

20 years? Can we imagine this?

Africa can become a flourishing continent; it has

enormous potential, which may be the source of

prosperity for both Africans and the world. First of all,

it has human potential. More than half of the African

people are under the age of 25. Todayís young Africans

are more open and more dynamic. They can narrow the

gap between the past and the challenges of today. They

deserve a better education and professional training

that is suited to the needs of the market. Education-for-

all programmes are vital. Investing in education is

more profitable than any other investment in poverty

reduction. Africanís destiny will depend on the

education of our young people.

Women in Madagascar are sometimes more

persistent than men. They deserve more than their

traditional role within the family. Let us give them the

chance to fulfil themselves, to enjoy the same rights as

men. All of us will benefit from their wisdom and

dedication.

I would now like to speak about agricultural

potential. In Madagascar, more than half of the arable

land is still unexploited. We can double or triple the

productivity rate. Let us help farmers to organize

themselves, to use better seeds and modern irrigation

systems and to obtain easier access to fertilizers. Let us

set up infrastructures to develop markets. Let us

simplify land registration. Let us institute appropriate

financial systems to encourage farmers to become

entrepreneurs. Let us set up infrastructure and systems

for the processing of natural products. Let us build

food processing units and undertake related activities.

Let us extend the food chain. Let us develop food

processing networks in rural areas. The green

revolution that the Secretary-General spoke about

recently is not a dream.

Next, I wish to speak about economic potential.

Development at the base, sustained by international

investment, will generate high economic growth.

Madagascar experienced economic growth of 9.6 per

cent in 2003, and we hope to achieve the same

performance in 2004 and 2005. This is also possible

for other African countries. With such a high economic

growth rate and more than 900 million consumers, the

African market will become increasingly worthwhile.

As to energy, we are all aware of the fact that the

world energy situation is critical and affects not just

our economies but our ecology as well. What potential

exists in Africa? Half of the African countries, like

Madagascar, could produce an abundant supply of

hydraulic energy; only 7 per cent of this potential is

exploited; only 1 per cent of the worldís solar energy

comes from Africa. Let us conclude an agreement on

energy development in Africa. The potential lies in

reforestation and in the Kyoto process.

Then, there is ecological potential. In addition to

the energy and the climate, we can share the values of

our nature with the world. Seventy per cent of

Madagascarís plants and fauna are endemic. At

present, we cannot truly assess the extent to which they

will be of benefit for medicine, as well as in other

fields.

With all this potential, the development of Africa

is in the interest of the great Powers. Their leaders

should know what African development can offer to

world prosperity, peace and security. Africa is a

continent of the future. Africa can become a

flourishing continent. Let us seek a common vision and

find new approaches to develop Africa.

Africa is ready for a new future. We Africans are

ready to resolve armed conflicts. We are ready to win

the war against poverty and other diseases. We are

ready for enhanced democracy and good governance.

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We are ready to work and cooperate closely for peace,

stability and security. We are ready for an open market

system. We are ready to strengthen our abilities. We are

ready for competition. We are ready for new

leadership. We are ready for a new Africa.

That is why we ask for international rules that are

acceptable to and accepted by all countries, be they

large or small. We are asking for mutual respect. We

are asking for closer cooperation.

We are asking for a comprehensive plan for the

development of Africa. We are asking for a ìMarshall

Planî for Africa: a plan that should be based on the

NEPAD objectives; a plan that includes the Evian

Summit objectives and measures, adopted by the

Group of Eight, but that goes even further; a plan that

is more than just an emergency measure; an

appropriate plan that promotes all the assets - the

entire potential - of Africa. Let us act at once and

without delay to implement it.

Let us promote the potential of Africa. The

impact for African people and for the international

community will be enormous.