NEW YORK, 1. September 2008: A high-level meeting on Africa’s development needs will take place at United Nations headquarters in New York on 22 September 2008.
The main theme is: “Africa’s development needs: state of implementation of various commitments, challenges and the way forward.”
In its resolution 62/242, the General Assembly decided that this meeting will be held at the highest possible political level, with the participation of Heads of State or Government, ministers, special representatives and other representatives, as appropriate.
The meeting will also be attended by civil society organizations, intergovernmental organizations, UN agencies, funds and programmes, as well as the Bretton Woods institutions: the World Trade Organization, the regional development banks, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
The meeting will conclude with the adoption of a Political Declaration.
UNAIDS Secretariat, its cosponsors and partners will host the following side events:
The Social development Challenge in Africa , organized by UNFPA, UNAIDS, IOM, UNHCR, UN-HABITAT. This event will focus on Africa’s primary social development challenge: Health for all in Africa. Participants will discuss measures needed to halt the spread of hiv/aids, tb and malaria, improve maternal and infant mortality and access to water and sanitation.
Africa Women Forum, organized by UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNAIDS, IOM, UNICEF, UNV, ECA, ITC, UNCTAD/WTO, OSAA. Co-Hosts: Rwanda, Iceland, Denmark, African Union, European Commission.Discussions will look into accountability to the commitments made regarding gender equality and women’s rights in Africa and explore the measures needed to address the needs of the poor most marginalized and excluded women and the roles of various stakeholders in promoting women leadership and engendering local development plans.
A response to the world food crisis: smallholder agriculture, food security and rural development in Africa, organized by FAO, IFAD, WFP, Permanent Mission of the republic of Malawi to the UN, UNDP, Earth Institute at Columbia University, UN-NGLS, UNAIDS, World Bank, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
This gathering will consider key elements of a possible plan to enhance agricultural productivity, raise incomes, reduce hunger and improve nutrition in Africa.
Kilde: UNAIDS
