The Genoa Declaration

A new partnership between Africa and the G8 countries got under way with the Genoa Declaration in 2001, with the aim of backing Africa's effort to address crucial issues for the continent's development. The impulse provided by the Italian presidency to building a strong and lasting link with the African continent was picked up and developed at every G8 Summit thereafter.

The 2001 G8 Summit highlighted the will to support a totally African development initiative (NEPAD) that put an end to the old methods of the past and paved the way for a new vision of the future. The Heads of State and Government leaders of the leading industrially advanced democracies meeting in Genoa responded with the Genoa Declaration, which basically subscribed to the priorities defined by the African representatives.

These are the salient points enshrined in the Declaration: a strategic approach to reducing poverty; debt relief, particularly through the Reinforced Initiative in favor of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC), which is considered a valid contribution to the struggle against poverty, but also as a means of stimulating faster growth in the very poor countries; greater participation in the global trade system for developing countries; a boost to private investment in the continent; initiatives to promote health, education and food security and safety, such as: the establishment of a global fund to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; the reliability of national health systems; food security and safety; the crucial nature of Official Development Assistance (ODA); the struggle against crime; the opportunities offered by digital technology (Task Force G8).

A decision was also reached at Genoa to formalize the post of Africa Personal Representative (APR) for the G8 countries' Heads of State and Government leaders, with each country appointing a ranking personality to the job.

The Africa personal representative's task is to liaise with the African countries on a permanent basis and, working in conjunction with the African leaders, to put together a G8 Africa Action Plan each year for submission to the following year's G8 Summit.

The representatives also recommend action to be taken in favour of Africa and they track the implementation of the Action Plan, keeping their respective heads of state and government leaders up to date on the progress being made.

Source: G8 Summit, Genoa, July 22 2001