20th International Economic Forum on Africa marked by the Covid-19 pandemic
The international economic forum on Africa is being held for its 20th edition.
© OECD
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The 20th International Economic Forum on Africa was held this Monday, February 22, in virtual mode.
Organized by the OECD, in partnership with the African Union and Senegal, the theme of this forum was: "Investing for a sustainable recovery in Africa".
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The President of the Commission of the African Union, the Prime Minister of Togo, the President of Madagascar and the President of Senegal spoke at the opening of this unique edition which is being held at a time when the whole world is looking for the means to limit the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic.
It is with reduced visibility that the world is scrutinizing the end of the circulation of the coronavirus, in order to put all activities and all economic circuits back to full speed.
The challenge that awaits Africa is immense: last year, 41 countries of the continent recorded an economic recession, against only 11 (African countries) during the global financial crisis of 2008. The Senegalese president has once again endorsed the role of their spokesperson.
While welcoming the moratorium of the G20 (the twenty largest economies in the world) on the debt of the least developed countries which will end on June 30, 2021, Macky Sall asked for its extension throughout the year 2021 but he especially pleaded for a substantial debt relief, even cancellation of the debt for some countries, so that they continue "
to face the expenses generated by the health response
" and "to
prepare for the post-covid recovery
".
He reiterated, in passing, the wish to see developed countries mobilize part of the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for the benefit of countries in need.
Another cry from the heart of the Senegalese Head of State, that of the need for “
access for all countries to anti-Covid vaccines, at reasonable prices.
"
Read also: Mali: immigration, theme of the 19th Bamako forum
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