In the framework of international development co-operation Hungary focuses its endeavours on the African territories south of the Sahara - Kinga Göncz’s remarks at the Africa Summit in New York

At the forum a day in advance of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly’s 63^rd session, Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz emphasised that the Hungarian government stands among those nations wishing to improve the quality of aid in order to better promote the development of the countries in question. Hungary regards the co-ordination of co-operation and intentions of donor and reception countries to be indispensable. Ms Göncz noted that a greater stress in future Hungarian aid policy would be placed on tied aid credits. She also brought attention to the fact that poverty cannot be tackled if further steps towards creating good governance, a rules-governed state, as well as stable political, legal and state-justice systems are not forthcoming. Neither can poverty be reduced unless fundamental human rights and laws of freedom are respected and solid economic policy underpinned.

The conference attended by 36 heads of state, 11 heads of government and 48 ministers was convened because it is clear that the Sub-Saharan Africa has fallen behind the most in terms of realising the half-way targets set down in the 15-year Millennium Development Goals. It is also clear that it is not sufficient only to increase development assistance, an improvement also needs to be seen in the efficient utilisation of support.

The Political Declaration of the conference confirms the undertaking of developed countries, namely that gradual attention is being turned towards the special needs of Africa, especially as it appears very uncertain at present whether all development goals will be met successfully in time. The declaration notes that there is also a need for African states to put aside their disputes and find peaceful solutions to conflicts, with special attention given to easing the situation of refugees. For the furtherance of aid policy it is necessary, said the Political Declaration, for donor countries to devote 0.7 percent of gross national income to their Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds by 2015.

(September 22, 2008)