‘The Chairperson Mr Tokyo Sexwale, Your Highness, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed.

 

‘It gives me immense pleasure to stand here before you today and to see so many of you taking an active interest in the future development of Africa and her people.

 

As I said last night, just over a year ago a little seed was planted. And with just a little nurturing, this seed is starting to sprout leaves and branches. My only hope is that it will one day grow into a huge tree so Africa’s people can feed on its abundant supply of fruit and that this same tree will provide lifelong shade from poverty and disease.

 

The problems of the poor are the problems of the rich. Colleagues, the problems of Africa are not just the problems of Africa’s people, but are the problems of the rest of the world as well. HIV/Aids, for example, is rapidly spreading to all comers of the globe and the lack of adequate facilities and employment has forced millions of people to relocate to other countries of opportunity, bringing with them newfound challenges for receiving nations.

Poverty therefore has no geographical boundaries and knows no political affiliation. In fact, it is the leaders of the world who have created the boundaries of poverty.

 

If we are serious about addressing these challenges, the Millennium Development Goals is the ideal place to start. We have found the answer. No more analyses and research is needed. We know what the answers are. The Millennium Villages is a holistic approach and it is not fragmented.

 

Developed nations have already pledged 0.7% of their GDP to help towards successfully achieving these goals. Many of them have not kept their promises, but we should not just depend on handouts to eradicate poverty in Africa. The Arab-Africa initiative seeks the equivalent and more of this 0.7%, via public/private partnerships on the continent and elsewhere.

 

The poor communities in Africa are not asking for much. They are not asking for houses with swimming pools. What they want is a simple house with two bedrooms, where the mother and the father can sleep separately from the children.

 

As we sit at the foot of the Pyramids, let us build on their significance by the recruitment of at least five like-minded sponsors to this project, sponsors who will in turn recruit another five. I have met with the Southern African Council of Arab Ambassadors, under the auspices of the United Arab Emirates Ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Ali and I have met with the Asian Ambassadors to encourage them to recruit civil society and the Corporate Sector to make a meaningful contribution to this initiative.

 

This initiative is not just talking about problems, but doing something concrete about them. Donors are tired of putting their money into a bottomless pit. The Arab-Africa initiative is different in that there is a benefit for both the private sector and the poor. This initiative will ensure that the funding that is raised will reach the real beneficiaries of the project and not end up in the pockets of rogue states and corrupt politicians and officials.

 

But colleagues, if we are serious about addressing these goals, then a whole new mindset is required. Social responsibility can partner with investment opportunities. There are many good examples of this. My esteemed colleague from South Africa, Tokyo Sexwale, is one such example. He has made a meaningful contribution towards addressing some of Africa’s challenges, for example through making contributions towards the provision of wheelchairs to the disabled across Africa. My hero, The Honourable Nelson Mandela, is yet another shining example. His contribution to the poor is known all around the world and I want to encourage each and every one of you to follow in his footsteps.

 

The Arab world has a long and established relationship with Africa and has already contributed generously. There are many examples like this in Africa, and the Arab Africa Council seeks to bring all of these initiatives, in partnership with the private sector, together to achieve visible changes on the ground.

 

I was particularly impressed with the candid presentation of engineer Sobhi Batterjee last night and I want to give support to his ingenious idea of treating the poor as unsatisfied customers. However, if we do business for the poor instead of with the poor, they will become our lifelong satisfied customers.

 

A change of mindset is also needed from Africa. We have to reduce our dependency on the developed nations of the West. We cannot continue to open our doors to investments from the West and look to the Arab world for support.

 

In the new Millennium, Africa must learn to become independent and to rely on its own resources and business initiatives to meet the needs of the poor. Africa and the Arab world are rich in natural resources and the income derived from these natural resources alone can meet the needs of all our people. My colleague Tokyo Sexwale alluded to this just this morning, when he said that Africa is rich in having the most poor people in the world.

 

The Steering Committee of the Arab-Africa initiatives has already provided the framework to achieve these goals. His Excellency Ambassador Saleh, along with Tokyo Sexwale, has become passionate about these contributions thus far. However, all the work done thus far by all of us will be wasted if we do not tackle this head on. Johanna Rubenstein has given us the statistics and the challenge now is to put a face to them.

 

It is my humble plea to all of you today to adapt this initiative to address the problems of Africa and its people. History will judge us severely if we do not act now. Open your hearts and minds to this critical initiative to heal our continent.’   

 

I thank you,

Patricia de Lille