March 18, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome to Canada, the President of Mozambique, Mr. Joaquim Alberto Chissano.

Under his leadership, the people of Mozambique now enjoy peace with the dark devastation of war far behind them.

Mozambique is now a model for the region in terms of democracy, good governance, and sound economic management. His nation is now a multi-party state and has experienced a textbook recovery in terms of economic growth.

Mozambique is sharing this success through leadership in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

Canada is a proud supporter of NEPAD. As Prime Minister, I am personally committed to do everything I can to help ensure that Africa's need and potential are not ignored.

At the G8 Kananaskis Summit last June, I insisted that Africa be at the very centre of the G8 Agenda. My colleagues were in full agreement. And President Chirac and other G8 Leaders have renewed their commitment to keep Africa at the centre of the G8 agenda in Evian next June. We agree that attention and resources must remain focussed on the needs of Africa. We cannot allow world events, however threatening, to eclipse our mission.

For our part, Canada is acting on the commitments we made last June in Kananaskis. By the time G8 Leaders meet in Evian, action on most or all of these initiatives will be underway. And I think it would be appropriate at this time, Mr. President, to thank the many non-government organizations that are here with us today for their hard work and commitment to Africa and to the principles of NEPAD.

As part of our commitment to NEPAD, Canada will double Official Development Assistance by 2010, and direct half or more of that new money to Africa.

To ensure the benefits of globalization are more fairly shared, we opened Canada's markets to virtually all imports from Least Developed Countries, of which most are in Africa.

And we are helping African partners increase trade by improving market access and defending their interests more effectively in the WTO negotiations.

Canada’s support for basic education in Africa will double, to $100 million per year by 2005. As part of our Canada Fund for Africa, I announced over $40 million to strengthen democratic institutions, such as public services and parliaments. Further investments will promote conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. Much of this support will be provided to the African Union during Mozambique's presidency.

With the creation of a Canada Investment Fund for Africa, we are encouraging investment in Africa in a socially responsible manner, including for infrastructure. The process of selecting the Fund Manager is almost complete.

Other major initiatives include support for AIDS vaccine research, the eradication of polio, bridging the digital divide, and strengthening regional security in West Africa.

These and other initiatives speak to a new way of engaging African partners. One that counts on African leadership and focusses on African priorities.

Mr. President, people debate whether NEPAD should be top-down or bottom-up. Whether it should be an initiative of African Heads of State and Government or of the people of Africa.

It must be both. For it was the personal commitment of African Leaders to NEPAD that caused the rest of the world to take notice. And it is the engagement of the people of Africa that will determine whether NEPAD succeeds or fails.

In this way, you, Mr. President, and the people of Mozambique, play a critical role as a model for other nations.

If other African countries are able to show the same commitment to NEPAD as the people and government of Mozambique, it will be a success. And like Mozambique, more countries will reap the benefits of strong democratic institutions, stronger economies, and a better quality of life for more people.

Thank you very much.

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