THE 4th AFRICAN FORUM

In early November, African leaders met with representatives of various political, economic and social fields for the fourth Africa Forum in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference with the title “Barriers to partnership – and how to overcome them” was hosted by Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Germany’s President Horst Köhler.

In his opening speech, Köhler spoke of the impact the global financial crisis will have on developing nations and their future. He noted that, since the onset of the crisis, western countries adopted a more closed off, protectionist stance.
Leading industrialised nations are experiencing serious economic and political vulnerability for the first time in many years. Köhler pointed out the effects the financial problems will spawn in Africa, if aid is cut back in a time in which conflicts on the African continent are once again escalating.

On the other hand, Köhler said, crises are opportunities for change. Köhler emphasised the importance of trust between developing and industrialised countries. He urged governments of established and emerging donor nations to pay attention to these matters. Moreover, Germany’s head of state expressed his hope that the Doha Development Round of trade conclusions might yet be concluded this year. He called for a development-friendly, multilateral trade regime aimed at supporting least developed countries. Köhler, a former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stressed that many poor countries depend on commodities and have a special need for investments in infrastructure and education.

Köhler appealed to the governments of industrialised and developing countries alike to rise to their specific responsibilities for ensuring peace, reducing poverty and adapting to climate change. He stressed that the problems we are facing today are human-made and can thus also be solved by human beings. Köhler does not hold executive powers in Germany, his role is largely a ceremonial one. He launched the series of Africa Forums to boost German-African cooperation. Last year’s event was held in Germany, the one before in Ghana.