Wednesday 8 September 2004

For immediate release

ILO/04/39 International Labour Organization (ILO)

OUAGADOUGOU (ILO News) – The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Juan Somavia, today said that good national governance affirms "Africa’s rights to expect a global fairness" and that "good national governance will not succeed unless we have good global governance."

He also called for greater policy coherence on growth, investment and employment creation from the international community in efforts to fight poverty and unemployment in Africa.

In an address to the Extrardinary Summit on Employment and Poverty Alleviation in Africa that opened its formal sessions here today, the ILO Director-General said, " Africa needs a listening service – partners who truly respect national ownership of development policy".

"Africa has a right to expect support for home-grown initiatives. Preventing child labour. Fighting HIV/AIDS …focusing on young people, the future of Africa", he said, adding that "we must ensure gender equality—because when you empower women you empower Africa".

Referring to the report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization published in February 2004, Somavia asserted Africa’s "right to expect global fairness."

Saying that the decisions being made in Ouagadougou illuminated a "simple truth: Africa is working," Mr. Somavia added: "The women, men and youth and unfortunately, even children of this continent are working hard every day. There is no poverty of effort in Africa. There is poverty of opportunity."

"We need a global approach", he said, adding, "No institution has all the answers, but we all have the mandates that oblige us to find solutions. By joining forces, we can forge a better path to a fair globalization."

Mr. Somavia also said the Summit has focused new light on "a fundamental point: poverty reduction won’t succeed without jobs".

"We are with you," Mr. Somavia said to the meeting that has gathered heads of State and government from the African Union (AU). "We are a tripartite voice for social justice and social dialogue – a voice that respects and demands respect for Africa’s priorities", he added.

Mr. Somavia noted that African heads of State and government, representatives of the social partners, civil society and international agencies were gathering to fashion continent-wide strategies for promoting employment and enterprise creation, adding, "This is not a consensus defined by others. It’s an African consensus. I would call it the Ouagadougou consensus".

Referring to the result-oriented agenda of the Summit, the ILO Director-General said, "I see here the strength, the hope, the energy to overcome. It’s in the message of the social partners, in the statement of your finance ministers, in your determination to assure a successful follow-up. It’s in the people of this mighty continent, it’s in your winning attitude. You are a new African movement in the making. And the ILO pledges to stand with you, on your side, all the way, until the struggle is won."