Press Release
2 July 2004
Commission for Africa
The Prime Minister has launched the Commission for Africa to take a fresh look at the challenges Africa faces.
The Commission will set out the facts on Africa and its assessment of policy on Africa (both within Africa and internationally): where it has worked; where it has failed; where more could be done; and where more support is needed from the international community. The Commission will conclude its work and report next spring.
“It is 20 years since Live Aid gave that incredible mobilisation of public support to do something about the tragedy in Africa. So I hope very much that the commission will cover these issues, will come up with specific solutions in relation to development, conflict resolution, governance, economic questions that allow us to gather international support behind the Commission's recommendations. I have said on many occasions that I believe Africa is a scar on the conscience of the world and I think it is right that we continue to treat this as an absolute priority over the coming years.” Tony Blair
"Half of all Africans are living in absolute poverty. We are not moving fast enough to achieve the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals. This is simply unacceptable. Today’s launch of the Commission for Africa shows the commitment of leaders and peoples across the world to work together to lift Africa out of poverty. If we set our minds to this, we really can do something to ensure that the next generation of Africans have the sort of opportunities that we take for granted" Hilary Benn
“I welcome Prime Minister Blair’s initiative to establish the African Commission. While Africa has made a lot of progress over the past decade or so, there have been a number to notable failures too. This Commission will give us the opportunity to review what has worked and what has not worked, with a view to coming up with better alternatives. It is a Commission composed of Africans and non-Africans and therefore it is better placed to come up with a package that takes into consideration the views of all the partners of development in Africa.”
Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia
