29 July 1983

Addis Ababa Declaration on the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebration of the Economic Commission for Africa

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 32/197 of 20 December 1977, 33/202 of 29 January 1979 and 34/206 of 19 December 1979, concerning the restructuring of the economic and social sectors of the United Nations system, by which the Assembly assigned specific additional tasks to regional commissions, including the role of main general economic and social development centres for their respective regions, providing team leadership and responsibility for co-ordination and co-operation at the regional level and acting as executing agencies,

Mindful of the terms of reference of the Economic Commission for Africa, under which, inter alia, the Commission shall participate in measures for facilitating concerted action for the economic development of Africa, including its social aspects, with a view to raising the level of economic activity and levels of living in Africa, and shall assist in the formulation and development of co-ordinated policies as a basis for practical action in promoting economic and technological development in the region,

Noting with satisfaction that in April 1983 the Economic Commission for Africa celebrated the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of its establishment, and noting further that during the past twenty-five years Africa has made noteworthy progress in various aspects of economic and social development, including regional co-operation and integration, as noted in the Addis Ababa Declaration on the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebration of the Economic Commission for Africa,

Expressing its appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa for his introduction to the general discussion of international economic and social policy, including regional and sectoral developments, in which he apprised the Council of the social and economic conditions prevailing in the African region over the past twelve months,

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General on regional co-operation;

2. Notes the Addis Ababa Declaration on the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebration of the Economic Commission for Africa, particularly the full commitment of the African Governments and peoples to the realization of the goals and objectives of the Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Economic Development of Africa and the Final Act of Lagos, which are an integral part of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade;

3. Congratulates the Economic Commission for Africa on its many positive contributions to Africa in social and economic development and integration during the past twenty-five years;

4. Encourages the Commission to intensify its effort so that the socio-economic development of Africa can be accelerated and that national and collective self-reliance at subregional and regional levels can be achieved;

5. Expresses its confidence in the dedicated work being undertaken by the secretariat of the Commission and in the ability of the Commission to discharge fully its increased responsibilities for the welfare of the African peoples;

6. Also expresses its deep concern with regard to the economic and food prospects for Africa in the year 2000 if the present obstacles to the development of the continent are not quickly removed;

7. Recommends the General Assembly to call upon the international community to support the endeavour of the African Governments towards achieving the accelerated development and integration of their continent by making available to them the necessary moral, technical and financial assistance.