Kofi Annan urges G-8 leaders to follow up on pledges

Accra, July 11, GNA - Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, has called on the leaders of the G8 summit to follow up on pledges they made during their just-ended summit with a detailed plan for implementation. This was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Friday by the African Progress Panel in response to announcements and developments at the G8 Summit held in Hokkaido, Japan. The statement said Mr. Annan, who is also the Panel Chairman, commended the Japanese government for working so comprehensively to engage African

leaders both before and during the summit. "At the time of economic turbulence, I welcome the fact that Africa has remained an important focus of attention at the G8 summit." It noted that the summit had also resulted in a number of important steps and also addressed the global food crisis that provided the long-term measure required to stimulate agricultural production in Africa.

It said, Mr Annan also reiterated the success in supporting Africa'a development that would not only result in tangible benefits for her people, but a more secured and prosperous future for the world. The panel also welcomed the G8 leaders' commitment to issues such as aid commitment, global food crisis, trade reforms, and climate change.

A key recommendation of the Commission for Africa Report, the 11-member African Progress Panel was launched in 2007 as a unique and independent authority on Africa to focus world leaders' attention on delivering the commitments to the continent. Last month, the Africa Progress Panel launched its annual report - Africa's Development: Promises and Prospect in assessing new opportunities and threats to Africa's development, including how far previous commitments on Africa are being met.