UN calls for international support for economic recovery

Angola's economic recovery requires international support, according to a resolution adopted recently by the UN General Assembly in New York. The resolution noted with concern the "inadequate level of assistance" to Angola so far. The UN called on all national and international, regional and sub-regional institutions to support the Angolan government in its efforts to alleviate poverty, consolidate peace and democracy, and implement strategic economic development programmes. About a million people died in Angola's 27-year civil conflict, which ended in April 2002. Another four million were internally displaced and the country's infrastructure was left in tatters and, despite being sub-Saharan Africa's second largest oil producer, the vast majority of Angola's 13 million people still live in dire poverty. The document, adopted after months of negotiations, called on the international donor community to increase its support for Angola's remaining humanitarian needs. The need to hold a conference to strategise long-term development and reconstruction was also raised in the resolution, which called on international financial institutions to prepare for the conference. Angola was urged to continue allocating more resources to social development and projects to reduce poverty, with the aim of attaining economic growth and sustainable development. The document noted with concern the lack of statistics regarding the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The resolution also expressed concern at the increasing percentage of the national budget allocated to debt servicing. The General Assembly welcomed the Angolan government's committment to strengthen democratic institutions, and noted the adoption of a timetable to hold elections in the country in 2006.