Opening remarks by Mr. K.Y. Amoako, United Nations under-Secretary general of the Economic Commission for Africa: at the first African development forum

This Opening remarks delivered by Mr. K.Y. Amoako, United Nations Under-Secretary General of the Economic Commission for Africa. Dr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that; Policy analysis in Africa is a growing business. Policy leaders can now be found in all sectors, not only governments. Indeed, business, civil society, media and academia are concerned about policy. You are here because of your larger policy interests. Policy makers across Africa have told us that they would like a more robust policy community, particularly to help leaders face a sometimes overwhelming global economy. They require something new in the way of high-level policy consultations, a new and far more ambitious Forum in which Africa's policy leadership can meet on fundamental issues, which get acted upon as a result of the Forum. The largest generation of youth in Africa's history is alive today. Yet, too many policy leaders tend to see the generation of youth as a problem to be solved. And indeed that generation must survive the threat of HIV/AIDS, lack of educational opportunities and lack of employment opportunities.