New York, US - Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has rallied developed nations to help Africa to activate its economy and provide assistance to victims of climate change. Addressing the 66th session of the UN General Assembly in New York Wednesday, Mbasogo, who holds the rotational chairmanship of the African Union (AU), said Africa had been hard hit by the world economic crisis, and that the continent's participation in world markets is still 'very small', even though it has great economic and human potential.

'Africa needs economic and technological support that is capable of transforming its enormous resources, which will not only contribute to its accelerated development, but will also contribute to the economic stability of its partners,' he said.

In addition to the economic crisis, Mbasogo said the African continent was facing the devastating effects of climate change, natural disasters, droughts, famine and diseases that have affected millions.

'The African Union has recently organised a donor conference to support the Horn of Africa victims, [with] Somalia being one of the most affected countries.

'The African Union is committed to face this emergency, but we still need the friendly hand of the international community,' the Equatorial Guinea leader said.

He urged developed nations to fulfil their obligations to the Kyoto Protocol and to compensate developing countries for the damages caused by global warming.

Mbasogo also said that women, children and young people had been hit the hardest by the economic and climate crises and that helping them was essential to ensuring future development and progress across the continent.

He advised African governments to work towards the growth and development of their nations, in order to tackle global challenges.

Pana 22/09/2011