The theme of the AU summit, "Investing in agriculture to achieve economic growth and food security", according to him, is therefore part of the drive to solve the food problems of the continent.
He explained that Africa is obliged to act quickly to develop its agriculture, all the more so as the growth rate of 5%, which had been more or less sustained over the past few years, is now declining at worrying proportions.
This has negatively impacted on African economies already hard hit by the huge extra pressure brought to bear on national budgets during the energy and food crises.
Another negative effect of this "growing impoverishment is characterised by the inability to meet such basic needs as food, which is a fundamental right, with the attendant turmoil and social tensions".
But, Mr Ping says, the African Union has not remained indifferent to this situation and took, as early as the beginning of the crisis, major actions in conjunction with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to collectively find answers likely to cushion the impact and effects on Africa.
It is within this framework that it organised a meeting in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, devoted to the global financial crisis. In the same vein, it made several consultations to make Africa's voice heard worldwide.
A case in point is last April’s G-20 summit in London, which worked out a rescue plan in favour of the poorest countries.
Moreover, Africa had decided to take a stand on climate change at the G-8 summit which would take place next week in Rome, Italy, Mr. Ping said.
This decision is dictated by the fact that the African continent remains the most vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather and climate change, while it only contributes 3.6% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Within this framework, it should ask for "a marked increase of funds allocated as part of the adaptation and extenuating mechanisms that keep depending on insufficient voluntary contributions to face up to climate change," according to Mr. Ping.
Africa should also ask for compensations for indirect damages to African economies and access to new and clean technologies.
It will also put on the table of donors funds for three major projects, namely, the Great Green Wall of the Sahara, the Basins of Lake Chad and the Nile River and the Congo River Basin Initiative.
Sirte - 01/07/2009
Pana
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