Annan emphasises parliamentarians' role in NEPAD

Lawmakers have a critical role to play in translating the "ambitious" new strategy for Africa's development into concrete initiatives that would improve the lives of the continent's people, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday. In a message to African parliamentarians meeting in Cotonou, Benin, Annan stressed that the lawmakers ought to play key role in New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). "As their [people's] representatives, you must craft laws that respond to their needs and aspirations; you must show your commitment to democracy, good governance and effective public administration; and you must serve as an institutional bridge between the state and civil society," Annan said. "Indeed, increased participation by Africans in the decisions affecting their lives will be a key factor in the success of NEPAD and the development of the continent," he said. While NEPAD was first and foremost a partnership between African leaders and their peoples, and between States within Africa, Annan noted that it also envisaged a new partnership between Africa and the international community - especially the highly industrialized countries. That new relationship would be based on "mutual respect and interdependence, as well as transparency and accountability, including peer review and performance monitoring among both African countries and international partners," he said, pledging the UN system’s strong commitment to providing the fullest possible support to this endeavour. The message was delivered by Zephirin Diabre, Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), to the gathering of parliamentarians from various African countries discussing NEPAD.