Madagascar

I would like to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, for everything that he has done; he has been a great Secretary-General. Thanks to his clear vision, his commitment and his open-mindedness, he has greatly contributed to the development of the United Nations and the promotion of Africa. I thank him and his team. Last year we discussed the Millennium Development Goals. It was clear that they could not be attained in the sub-Saharan countries if we did not make a considerable effort. The initiatives of the G-8, the World Bank, the European Union and other donors seemed to constitute a good foundation for a profound change. Have we noticed a profound change? I do not think so. The sad reality is that Africa receives less international assistance per capita than it did 20 years ago. Let us be honest. The great ideas and the goodwill expressed in words rarely pass through the filters of existing structures and programmes. The files on Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon, the Palestine question and the oil question have put the Africa file in the shade. It is a fact: Africa is not a priority for international authorities. However, I remind the Assembly that we all set the Millennium Development Goals. These are common goals; therefore, their realization is also a common task. I remind the Assembly, too, that when we deal with issues we are also writing the destiny of hundreds of millions of human beings. Our decisions affect millions of children. Where is the fervent desire, then, to deliver on what we have promised to do for them? That is the paradox between what we preach and what we do. I remind the Assembly that the task of this community is to avoid crises instead of dealing with crises. This institution should be a place not for firefighters, but for strategists. I emphasize that the idea of one world, the foundation of globalization, cannot take us towards a fair and peaceful future as long as many poor countries are still marginalized. We want the same ticket to enter the international community as the European Union has given to Eastern European countries. We should all be on the same boat. However, many developing countries are still struggling behind it, swimming hard to try to catch up with it. How can we get out of this calamitous situation? The Millennium Development Goals must remain the basis of our discussions and our actions, even if their achievement becomes more and more difficult. The industrialized countries have asked us, the 19 06-52988 developing countries, to develop visions for our countries and to prepare road maps in order to achieve them. They have asked us to specify the Millennium Development Goals for our countries. They have asked us to increase our absorption capacity. All of that is fair and understandable. However, the role of industrialized countries is not to play the referee, assess players and give out red cards. All countries, developed and developing alike, must play together. We must act together and have the same goal. That is why I have decided to develop a new strategy in Madagascar, which we call the Madagascar Action Plan. The plan has been discussed throughout the regions of Madagascar with representatives of private and public organizations to create a sound basis for achieving our vision, “Madagascar — Naturally!”, and the Millennium Development Goals. The plan has also been discussed with members of the donor community. I told them that it is based on our vision and on the Millennium Development Goals, which we all set together. We should not be satisfied with existing means; we should mobilize all the means needed to achieve those goals. I also told the donors that the Madagascar Action Plan is our common plan. We decide together how many men and women we want to — and can — pull out of poverty; how many poor children can have a better education; and how many children we can save by providing them with safe drinking water and vaccines. Together we have to answer these questions, because they concern global tasks, common tasks. Hunger, poverty and disasters are among those issues that know no borders. Therefore, they are part of our shared responsibility. We must change the approach used in the past, which was based on division. We must accept that the tasks are too burdensome to be carried out by weak people, to whom a new burden is given. I am talking about goals and measures that we must deal with together, according to the capacity of each of us. International assistance for African development must undoubtedly be doubled or tripled in the short term. Donors must deliver on their promises in the short term if we really want to revive the economies of African countries. People ask why sub-Saharan Africa has not experienced economic growth in the last few years. There are many reasons. They include internal conflicts, lack of good governance, instability and insecurity. However, the reduction of aid per capita during the last 20 years is one of the main reasons for the slowing of economic growth. A further reduction of international aid has been proposed, so that developing countries will become — so it is said — much more independent quickly. That is a fundamental misunderstanding. To become independent, we need more international aid. Greater support is the shortest path towards independence. The more we invest in education, infrastructure and health, the more economic growth will be strengthened. And the more economic growth is strengthened, the quicker will the independence of developing countries become effective. Investments in education, health, infrastructure and so on continue to be conditions for foreign direct investment. Private investment cannot replace them. We should look at the results of the Marshall Plan and at the huge investments by the European Union in the new member States. They have been a huge success. The question of absorption capacity has been discussed. Like all developing countries, we too have had problems, problems of cooperation between national and international partners. Basically, if there is a lack of capacity, it is the result of lack of cooperation and confidence. Capacity must never be the factor that determines the volume of support. Where there is a lack of capacity in an area, it is necessary to strengthen that area. If there are not yet enough human resources available at the national level, it is necessary to call on international experts, while reinforcing national capacities. In this context, I would like to add a few words on “country ownership”. It is true that we in the developing countries know our problems very well. Therefore, we are ready to assume our responsibilities. Deciding on policies and actions must be the responsibility of nationals. The programmes of the donors have to be integrated into national programmes. But it is also true that we are not always aware of our weaknesses and are not in phase with all the 06-52988 20 values, rules, standards and procedures that are acknowledged in most industrialized countries. Often our fellow citizens do not appreciate the true worth of good governance. Transferring the rules of good governance and standards of quality in education, health and infrastructure into our culture and our policies is essential. The transfer of knowledge is as urgent as is the transfer of capital. It is not only technical knowledge that we lack; the transfer of knowledge must also include values and the concept of professionalism. Let us pool our capacities. What is at stake is so important that we must use all our capacities at the same time. Effectiveness must be the rule. Good cooperation between national and international experts is the basis of success. And let us be more realistic, more pragmatic. The percentage of international aid spent on studies is far too high. Most studies are not implemented and simply repeat what previous studies have already found out. I also recommend more effective decentralization, so that financial aid reaches the grass- roots communities. The financing mechanism is often slow and sometimes complex. It resembles a tortuous, stony path — and it is porous. From time to time, we ask the same questions: How can we better structure international assistance? Which transfer of funds, for which area and with which measures is the most important? There is no simple answer. Each country, each region and each area requires a different answer. Theoretical discussions will not help. However, there is a foundation that is crucial to all development: confidence. If a people do not feel confident, they will not contribute to development. If international firms do not feel confident, they will not come. Confidence comes from opening up to the outside world, from stability, security and transparency. Good governance and democracy are also crucial. I assure the Assembly that Madagascar, my Government and I, will hold free and fair presidential elections in December. During last year’s session of the Assembly there was general agreement about the urgent need to increase international aid quantitatively and qualitatively in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We should therefore act accordingly. North America, Europe and most countries in Asia and South America have experienced an era of prosperity and progress. Their peoples now have a good chance of enjoying a good standard of living until the age of 80. The peoples of Africa do not have that chance. I therefore call upon the United Nations to develop and adopt a new, more dynamic and determined approach in favour of Africa. If that is done, opportunities will be more balanced and the world will be a fairer place. We note that the industrialized countries can react quickly and launch large-scale operations if their vital interests are at stake. We desire now the same dynamic approach for Africa, because the basic needs of our people are still being ignored. Such an approach is in the interest of the African peoples, but it is also in the best interest of humanity. A prosperous Africa is an asset for the world.