Five African leaders, who are attending the World Economic Forum on Africa opened here Wednesday, praised the progress that African nations have made in recent years and call for more cooperation and strong partnerships among government, business and civil society.
"Africa is evolving very well in the correct direction," said Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa. He said he believed that the continent would continue to experience high economic growth, adding that the regional integration would deepen.
"It would be very important if we manage our resources and the wealth they generate," he said.
However, the leaders highlighted the challenges faced by the continent, notably food security, the management of resources, political development and sustainable growth.
Pierre Nkurunziza, president of Burundi, pointed out that political stability was critical, "You can have many mineral resources, but if you have no peace, there is no way to develop your country."
Raila Odinga, the new prime minister of Kenya, stressed the importance of solidarity with the example of Kenya.
"For over 40 years of independence, we lived a lie that we were a united country, but deep down society was fragmented," Odinga said, calling for leaders to speak plainly and openly about the continent's shortcomings.
"The opportunities, threats and challenges (Africans) face require strong partnerships among government, business and civil society," Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum said.
Ghanian President John Kufuor said "Africa needs more cooperation through the African Union to organize and coordinate how Africa relates with the rest of the world."
President of Malawi Bingu Wa Mutharika said that Africa was probably the richest continent in the world but the people are the poorest. He said he believed that Africans had all the wealth to transform the continent and people from poverty to prosperity, suggesting that Africa could develop the capacity to produce the food needed to address the emerging global food shortage.
The 18th World Economic Forum on Africa will run through Friday with more than 800 participants from 50 countries.
Source:Xinhua
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