UNGA DELEGATES DISCUSS NEPAD AND MALARIA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000961

SIPDIS

ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON XA
SUBJECT: UNGA DELEGATES DISCUSS NEPAD AND MALARIA


1. In plenary session on October 20, The UN General Assembly
(UNGA) received the Secretary General's reports on progress
toward fulfillment of UNGA Resolution 62/180: 2001-2010:
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries,
Particularly in Africa (A/63/206, A/63/212 and A/63/219).
UNGA subsequently discussed the New Partnership for Africa's
Economic Development and malaria. Delegates heard
interventions from representatives of Rwanda, Italy,
Kazakhstan, the United States, the International Federation
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Holy
See. Representatives called for more assistance and local
buy-in to development solutions.


2. More assistance: UNGA President Miguel d'Escoto
Brockmann called for a reversal of what he claimed was a
decline in official development assistance (ODA) and
adherence to the Millennium Development Goals. Italian
PermRep Guilio Terzi warned against allowing the global
financial crisis to divert attention from Africa. Malawian
and Kazakh representatives called for increased ODA, while
Rev. Philip J. Bene (an Amcit),speaking in behalf of the
Apostolic Nuncio, called for increased commitment of
resources to fighting diseases, calling malaria "a major
threat to human security."


3. D'Escoto called for support of African efforts to
implement its own programs. Terzi twice mentioned the
importance of Africa's ownership of its own development.
Kazakh PerRep Byrganym Aitimova echoed this, combining a
request for debt relief with a statement that primary
responsibility for development remains with African
governments.


4. Optimism: D'Escoto praised the African Union for playing
an increasing role in mediating disputes. Aitimova sees a
silver lining in high food prices, opining that they may open
an opportunity to remove agricultural trade barriers.
Malawi's representative expressed hope that intellectual
property considerations should make drugs available.


5. United States remarks focused on conflict prevention,
sustainability, and eradication of disease, and are available
at the Mission's web site, www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov.
Khalilzad