Opening speech by Minister Lehtomäki at the Nordic Africa Initiative Ministerial Conference
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20 January, 2005
Honourable Vice-President,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Dear Colleges,
The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Per Stig Moeller, had looked forward very much to co-chairing this event.
However, on 19th January the Danish Prime Minister called general elections to take place in early February. Dr. Moeller will therefore have to focus his attention on the political situation in Denmark. He has asked me to convey his sincere wishes for a productive and successful conference.
A long tradition for strong and privileged partnerships exists between the African and the Nordic countries. Therefore it is not a coincidence that we are gathered here today. It is a great honour for me to open this ministerial conference and I wish to extend my warm gratitude to Tanzania for hosting the conference and for its commitment to making it a success.
For some time already, focus on Africa has been increasing. The Millennium Development Goals have emphasised the challenges facing Africa and the need for targeted and concerted action.
The complexity of the poverty problem calls for many different responses at the same time but increased growth is a fundamental prerequisite. Trade is an essential source of growth and we therefore need to find ways to free this potential of the African countries.
Freeing this potential represents an important challenge. This is why we must take the necessary time to discuss these issues thoroughly. I am very pleased that so many delegations share this analysis of priorities and thank you all for taking the time to participate in this ministerial conference.
The failure to achieve tangible results in Cancún in September 2003 was very unfortunate. It is of great importance for all of us to proceed fulfilling the promise of the ‘Doha Development Round’. The framework agreement in Geneva last August is a good basis for doing this, but additional efforts are needed from all parties to make it happen.
Distinguished delegates,
As you know, Nordic Africa Initiative aims, through deepened dialogue, to increase the understanding of how African interests can best be accommodated by the active and constructive participation of all WTO members in the Doha Development Agenda and to strengthen confidence between all parties. Secondly, the Initiative facilitates the discussion how to make trade work as a vehicle for development in the national policies of African countries.
On the basis of the results of the preparatory seminar last November, the agenda, now before us, has been arranged to encompass discussions on trade policy, integration of trade into development plans, as well as trade related assistance. The issues will be treated consecutively within 3 panels. In this regard, I cannot emphasize too strongly the need for true dialogue between all the parties involved. I look forward to a very interactive and lively discussion not only within the panels, but certainly also with the plenary, where many most important stakeholders from civil society and international organizations sit.
Tanzania’s minister for industry and trade, Dr. Juma Ngasongwa, and the Swedish Minister for Development, Ms. Carin Jamtin, will at the end of the conference summarize the deliberations on their own responsibility. Since there are many different views and interests to be represented, we will not attempt to draft an agreed text.
The purpose, after all, is dialogue; dialogue to foster a better understanding of our various points of view. I am sure that this understanding will be conducive to a positive conclusion of the Doha Round and other events, where the links between trade and development are of great importance.
The Nordic/African dialogue will not end with this ministerial conference. I expect the dialogue to continue informally both bilaterally and plurilaterally for as long as I can look into the future.
It is my hope that we together here in Dar es Salaam can prepare the ground for a better mutual understanding of our views on the important issue of the interrelationship between trade and development and how trade can help combat poverty in Africa.
Thank you very much.