Collective action on Africa needed

The African Union summit is meeting at a time when Africa faces great challenges from the possible impact of current developments on the international economic scene.

Indeed, the recent encouraging economic performance of Africa is being threatened by global economic emergencies in the food and energy markets and the prospect of stagflation in key industrial economies.

These developments are closely linked with the negative effects of climate change and can undermine political stability and the scaling-up of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Since the causes and consequences of these problems are global, the key issue is to use common solutions and benefits of regional and international cooperation to guide and drive national actions.