March 28, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will to travel to Africa to meet with African leaders in preparation for the G-8 Summit. He will visit Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Senegal from April 3-13, 2002.

"As Chair of the G-8 this year, I have committed to consulting with Africans on a G-8 Africa Action Plan – a plan to work with African governments dedicated to working for their citizens to build lasting peace and security, strengthen democratic governance, address health and education and open trade and investment," said the Prime Minister. "This visit will allow me to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges for Africa. The continent is on the fringes of our globalized world and risks falling back. We must help reverse the situation."

The Prime Minister will meet with a number of African government leaders and civil society representatives, including young people involved in development, as well as representatives of the Organization of African Unity and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. He will also use this occasion to strengthen Canada’s bilateral and commercial relations with African countries.

Africa will be a principal focus of the G-8 Summit being held in Kananaskis, Alberta from June 26-27, 2002. In Genoa last year, G-8 leaders agreed to develop a G-8 Africa Action Plan for adoption at Kananaskis that would support the unique proposal by African leaders for the renewal of their continent known as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The NEPAD is designed to address the social, political and economic challenges facing Africans and is endorsed by the 53 members of the Organization of African Unity.

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