Affairs to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cape
Town
1 August 2007
Honourable Chairperson
Honourable members
Thank you for inviting us to brief the Committee on the pertinent issue that
I am certain is of interest to all South Africans. For us as a department, it
is always a pleasure to be afforded the opportunity to brief the Committee on
the latest happenings regarding our foreign policy agenda so that we are not
only accountable to the elected representatives of the people, but we also
receive guidance in the execution of our mandate.
I also welcome the visit by the Committee to the department scheduled for 6
and 7 August, which will afford you the opportunity to raise some of the issues
further with the relevant officials as you engage with them.
Let me start by reassuring members that South Africa continues to actively
engage the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) process at the
national, regional, continental and international levels in line with our
foreign policy vision of Consolidating the African Agenda.
Outline presentation
The following presentation will, firstly, highlight the key challenges and
priorities for the implementation of Nepad during 2007/08. Secondly, the
presentation will aim to map out the progress made within South Africa on
initiatives being undertaken to internalise Nepad as an approach to
socio-economic and sustainable development. Thirdly, the presentation will
focus on progress made in translating the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Regional Indicative Strategic Development Programme (RISDP) as
the regional expression of Nepad. Fourthly, the presentation will highlight
continental initiatives aimed at meeting the Nepad priority areas including an
overview of progress noted on the continent coupled with the challenges that
still exist in effectively implementing Nepad will be listed. Lastly, the paper
will briefly refer to some of the key continental developments regarding the
African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), including the current challenges and way
forward facing the review process.
Key South African challenges and priorities for 2007/08
In order to provide capacity and political support for the implementation of
Nepad programmes, we need as a country to address, amongst others, the
following key challenges and priorities for the 2007/08 financial year:
* interacting with key continental and international partners and
stakeholders to generate/access support (financial, technical and
institutional) for the implementation of Nepad and utilise every available
forum for this purpose
* taking stock of the myriad of international pledges of support for the
implementation of Nepad, as well as the various sectoral Nepad plans,
strategies, programmes and projects to see what actions should be prioritised
by South Africa to ensure a focused and specific rollout on a set of key
actions
* ensuring that each African Union (AU) member state and the Regional Economic
Communities (RECs) align national and regional development programmes with
Nepad.
As I indicated at the beginning of my presentation, progress has been made
within South Africa through initiatives undertaken by various government
departments to internalise Nepad as an approach to socio-economic and
sustainable development. I would like to briefly reflect on this to give
Members an indication of how far we are with this process.
National implementation of Nepad
I am certain we can all agree that a clear framework for implementation is
the first critical step towards ensuring that implementation of Nepad is as
effective as it could be. Towards this end we have undertaken the development
of the Nepad Implementation Strategy for South Africa (NISSA) as it is commonly
known. The process of finalising this document is at an advanced stage and I am
pleased to report that the process of preparing the Strategy was broad based
and included all civil society, business and labour key stakeholders, as well
as representatives of government at various levels.
The framework document for emanating from these consultations is now being
converted into The Draft National Implementation Strategy for South Africa
(NISSA) for consideration, first by the IRPS Cluster and then Cabinet.
The South African Department of Science and Technology has reported good
progress on the following initiatives:
* implementation of the Nepad Science and Technology Plan of Action adopted
in 2005
* the African Laser Centre facilitating continental/ joint programmes on laser
technology
* implementation of the Nepad African Biosciences initiative by four regional
networks of centres of excellence throughout the continent. Activities focus on
research and development in the areas of human health, animal health,
industrial and mining bio-processing and environmental remediation.
* expansion of the African Mathematical Institute (AIMS) into a network of
regional centres spread across the continent.
Communications infrastructure remains a critical aspect of, not only our
own, but the development of the continent as a whole. The Department of
Communications has reported that it has already briefed South African telecoms
operators and potential investors on the Nepad Information, Communications and
Technology (ICT) Broadband Infrastructure Network.
It is anticipated that construction of the cable known as the East Africa
Submarine Cable System (EASSy) is completed by December 2008. An agreement is
being finalised between the e-Africa Commission and the Pan African
Infrastructure Development Fund for equity investment and funding for the
project.
As you are aware, Parliament is currently considering for ratification the
Protocol on the Policy and Regulatory Framework for the Nepad ICT Broadband
Infrastructure Network for Eastern and Southern Africa, which is in line with
the national ICT policies, including the Electronic Communications Act.
With regard to the Nepad e-Schools Project, in April 2007, the Departments
of Communications and Education and the Presidential National Commission (PNC)
on Inform Society and Development (ISAD) successfully launched the pilot phase
of the South African Nepad e-Schools programme.
The Department of Health has reported that a Nepad Co-ordination Unit has
been established within the department to facilitate links with SADC and AU as
well as harmonisation and co-ordination of its programmes in line with the AU,
Nepad and other international Health Strategies and the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). The key activity for this financial year shall be the
strengthening the Nepad Accelerated Malaria Control Programme for Africa
(NAMCA).
Good governance initiative
The National Treasury has reported on its work on the Collaborative Africa
Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI). As you may be aware, the National Treasury is
a member of the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI). CABRI is
a pan-African network of senior government officials in ministries of finance
and planning. CABRI's primary objective is to promote the importance of
efficient and effective management of public finances to foster economic growth
and enhance service delivery for the improvement of living standards of people
living in Africa. CABRI is owned by 26 African member states and the South
African National Treasury houses the CABRI Secretariat. While CABRI is not a
Nepad project, CABRI's objectives are in line with the objectives of Nepad
which seeks to establish African ownership of policy design, build up
resourcefulness of its people, encourage partnership between people across
Africa and accelerate continental integration.
The Department of Education is in the process of developing a scholarship to
provide bursaries for deserving students from the African Continent who do not
have access to higher education institutions.
And finally, the Department of Agriculture is aligning its activities to the
Nepad Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP)
priorities. The Minister of Agriculture has approved posting of an Agriculture
Attach� to Addis Ababa Mission to attend to sector issues with the AU.
Honourable members
Regional implementation of Nepad
I would now like to turn to the progress we have made with regards to the
implementation of Nepad within our own region, SADC. You will recall that the
SADC Regional Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) has been the SADC region's
response to implementation of Nepad Programmes and has reiterated the synergies
between the two. To this end, activities in terms of the Nepad sectoral
programmes have been built into each of the sectors of the SADC work programme
under the RISDP. Furthermore, the SADC and Nepad Secretariats had both
appointed focal points to expedite co-operation and information-sharing between
the two institutions. Some progress has been made with regard to implementation
of Nepad at a SADC level and these are detailed in the briefing that has been
circulated to members for their information. (List is provided on the power
point presentation).
Regional challenges in implementing Nepad
It is important to mention that while a number of good initiatives have been
undertaken, these have been faced with challenges relating to implementation,
capacity and resources.
Another challenge facing our region is ensuring that a specific Nepad
project must have the potential to be expanded into a regional or continental
project. Carefully selected current programmes / projects should be packaged
and relabelled as Nepad programmes/projects. By implication, a RISDP project
must be designed from the onset as a regional project, instead of a national
project having the potential to be expanded into a regional project.
One of the issues that we have deal with is the process of communicating
this to our people and the people of the region so that African ownership of
Nepad is firmly entrenched.
This should be done through demonstrating the practical benefits of Nepad
and the IRSDP among South Africans.
This communication and information sharing is vital to the success of whole
Nepad project.
Continental implementation of Nepad
At the continental level, significant progress has also been made regarding
the political and strategic direction of Nepad. During the 17th Meeting of the
Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) which took place
in Accra on 1 July 2007 on the margins of the AU Summit this matter received
attention. The discussion focused on the integration of the Nepad Secretariat
into the AU Commission, with the concurrent establishment of a Nepad Planning
and Co-ordination Agency.
In proposing a way forward on the integration issue, President Mbeki
acknowledged that the Brainstorming Summit that had been proposed by President
Wade of Senegal in 2006, had not been held and highlighted the need for the
Summit to be held in order to discuss amongst other issues, the recommendations
on the integration of Nepad into the AU structure and processes. The HSGIC
agreed to defer the discussions on integration, which will take place at the
Brainstorming Summit, to be held as soon as possible i.e. before the end of
2007.
Progress has also been made with regard to implementation of Nepad at a
continental level. The following initiatives (amongst others) have been
undertaken:
Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund
This is an exciting and unprecedented development As President Mbeki
announced during his recent speech to the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association: "The Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund has been
established to finance large scale African infrastructure development projects.
Of critical and historic importance is the fact that the entirety of the
capital of the fund, currently amounting to US$625-million, originates
exclusively from within our continent. We are confident that within the next 12
months the capital base of the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund will
reach US$1 billion. Practically, we, as Africans, are making the firm statement
that we are ready to rely on our resources to finance our own development
focusing in the first instance on the critically important infrastructure
projects already elaborated by Nepad."
Nepad environment initiative
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council approved an innovative $150
million program to support over 28 countries (including South Africa) across
Sub-Saharan African initiatives to fight land degradation. This program is
directly related to the implementation of the land degradation thematic area of
the environment initiative of Nepad.
Establishment of the African Environmental Facility
The African Environment Facility would be a key tool in supporting the
implementation of the environment initiative of Nepad given the lack of
resources available to Africa through the current multilateral environment
funding facilities.
Nepad Tourism Action Plan
This is a strategic objective for the Nepad Tourism Action Plan and a
priority intervention area in the RISDP.
Nepad ICT programmes
The Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) has signed a grant agreement with
the NEPAD e-Africa Commission, through the Development Bank of Southern Africa
(DBSA), to support the Nepad Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Broadband Infrastructure Programme.
Nepad Food and Security Summit
A Nepad Food and Security Summit, focusing on the availability,
accessibility and affordability of food, was held in Abuja, Nigeria from 4 to 8
December 2006. The objective of the Summit was to review progress in the
implementation of the 1996 World Food Summit outcomes as well as the 2003
Maputo Declaration for a 10% government budgetary allocation to agriculture by
African countries to achieve food security for all.
Programme on governance and public administration
Operating under the guidance of the Pan-African Ministers of Public Service,
the programme embodies a commitment by the continent to revitalise governance
and public administration through strengthening the capacity of state
institutions.
Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Project
The Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Project, including the East African
Sub-marine cable System (EASSy) was identified as one of the Nepad ICT flagship
projects by the Nepad HSGIC in 2004. This is a private-public partnership
initiative that involves 31 telecom companies and financial development
institutions (FDIs).
Chinese continental support for Nepad
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Nepad Secretariat
and the Secretariat of the China-Africa Forum at the end of a visit of the
Nepad Secretariat CEO (Professor Mucavele) to China at the invitation of the
Chinese Government. The MoU aims to strengthen co-operation and exchange of
information between the Secretariats and to explore means of supporting Nepad,
especially in human resource development. The Chinese Government handed over a
cheque for $500 000 to the Nepad Secretariat. The donation is for a nursing and
midwifery training programme in Tanzania and Kenya.
Progress made on African continent due to adherence to Nepad vision and
principles
There has been encouraging and significant progress registered during the
last few years with regards to adherence by the African continent to the Nepad
vision and principles in a number of areas. These include:
* The African Union is leading the resolution of conflicts and managing
peace building in many countries. Furthermore, budgets, mandates and leadership
of key organs of the AU are being reinforced. Nepad principles / commitments
are giving strength and direction to these changes.
RECs
Many RECs are working to align their programmes in line with Nepad
priorities
* AU Peace and Security Commission (PSC): The AU PSC has been established.
This structure provides a framework for conflict prevention, management and
resolution for peacekeeping and peace-building.
* Priority Areas: Through Nepad, African leaders have fundamentally changed the
development paradigm to include agriculture, infrastructure, ICTs, science and
technology, environment and regional economic integration, which were not among
top priorities of the development agenda of international partners, have now
become core issues.
* Health: The emergence of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and
Malaria provides resources for the overarching strategy to address AIDS and its
impact on development.
* Infrastructural development: In the past six years the African Development
Bank and World Bank have increased priority to projects under the Nepad Short
Term Action Plan for Infrastructure Development. A number of regional
infrastructure projects have been brought to the implementation stage.
* Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) levels: The increased engagement with
Group of Eight (G8), OECD and European Union (EU) countries has resulted in
increased development assistance flows to Africa. Over the past five years,
Nepad has ensured increased ODA to Africa of an unprecedented level. However,
these flows must be understood against the debt-servicing burdens that still
face some LDCs.
* African Economic Growth: On the economic front, trends that existed before
are being reversed. The economic outlook for the African continent is the best
it has been for many years. There is an increase in countries following sound
macro-economic planning, policies and management. The United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa 2007 Report on Africa states that, with regard to growing
prospects for 2007 and the medium term outlook, Africa is expected to grow at a
rate of 5,8% in 2007, slightly higher than the rate recorded in 2006
(5,7%).
Continental challenges facing Nepad implementation
Honourable members, while significant progress has been recorded in Nepad
implementation, a number of challenges still exist. These need to be tackled
head-on in order to move forward on Nepad. Key challenges include:
* strengthening political leadership
* capacity building
* integration of Nepad priorities into national development programmes
* increase multi-country infrastructure projects
* widening APRM participation
* converting pledges by developed countries into concrete actions
* making ODA more effective.
Africa Peer Review Mechanism
As I indicated at the beginning of my presentation, I would now like to
brief the Members on the African Peer Review Mechanism and the latest
developments pertaining to this process.
The APRM is a flagship programme that has received international acclaim and
the first set of reviews has been completed in Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Algeria
and South Africa. Thus far, twenty-six countries have acceded to the APRM. The
APRM process is addressing corruption, poor governance and inefficient delivery
of public goods and services to their citizens.
The APR Panel agreed that lessons learnt from the five reviews done so far
necessitates a Brainstorming Session. A workshop/brainstorming session will be
held in Algiers towards the end of October 2007.
Conclusion
As you can determine from the presentation the rationale for the continued
promotion of Nepad has not changed and if anything there is now more than ever
a stronger case for its recognition as key to Africa's development challenges.
African priority programmes have been developed and are ready for
implementation.
Nepad a long-term development programme
Critical success factors enhanced political leadership, ownership by people,
strengthening institutional human & financial capacity of national,
regional and continental development institutions & increased support by
international community.
African people need to be convinced that Nepad is relevant to them, can
address poverty, can ensure sustainable socio-economic development and growth
and can make a significant impact on the quality of their daily lives.
People need to see tangible infrastructure projects, an agricultural
revolution, and improved health and education delivery systems. It is in these
areas that the greatest challenges for NEPAD are to be found. The scale and
pace of delivery in these priority sectors remains frustratingly low.
People need to see tangible infrastructure projects, an agricultural
revolution, improved health & education delivery systems. It is these areas
that greatest challenges for Nepad to be found. Scale and pace of delivery in
these priority sectors remains low.
Way forward
South Africa has taken leading role in developing Nepad as Africa premier
development programme, in mobilising African and international support for
Nepad and in supporting structures and processes of Nepad.
In looking forward to 2010, it is critical that:
* South Africa continues to mobilise material support domestically,
regionally, continentally and internationally for implementation of Nepad
* Nepad should be made relevant to South Africa as a country
* South Africa should actively assist in process to move Nepad to higher plane
of action and implementation.
As the Department of Foreign Affairs, we need to continue with the advocacy
of Nepad at national, regional, continental and international levels so as to
muster effective and vigorous support for Africa's development programme.
I believe that there in an important role for this committee and indeed
Members of Parliament generally in promoting Nepad as an approach to
development and in playing an active role in its advocacy.
I trust that this briefing has been useful.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 August 2007
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
