"Domestic Resource Mobilisation and a robust Domestic Private Sector must be the cornerstones  in achieving Africa’s sustainable development in line with AU Vision 2063 and Post 2015 Development Agenda’’ says H. E. Dr Elham M. A. Ibrahim, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the end of the African Multi-stakeholder Consultation towards First High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership of Effective Development Cooperation held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, under the auspices of the Africa Platform for Development Effectiveness (www.africa-platform.org).

After 3 days of intensive engagement (24 to 26 February) the Regional Consultation comes up with the Abidjan Communique along with a comprehensive African Action Plan for the implementation of the Global Partnership on the Continent towards Mexico. Africa is the first region to endorse a continental action plan for implementation of the Busan commitments in line with the Global Action Plan to measure the collective progress.

However, “despite the joint commitments and agreements, development Aid remains unpredictable’’ says H. E. Mr Albert Toikeuse Mabri, Minister of Planning and Development of Cote d’Ivoire. Therefore it is critical for African countries to adhere to the commitments and, more importantly, ‘’to move beyond’’ aid towards development effectiveness by designing inclusive strategies to transform and better manage the continent natural resources, added  Mr Albert Toikeuse Mabri.

View of delegates  during the regional consultation

Though over the last decade, most of African Governments have accelerated reforms and created better enabling environment that have led to unprecedented high growth rates while making significant progress in governance policies for sound macro-economic performance, it is imperative for countries to adhere to the tested methodology of the African peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to address issues of domestic accountability and monitor the progress in the implementation of the Action Plan.

Effective use of innovative domestic financial resources and appropriate implementing capacities, with the role of the private sector is imperative. In this regard, there is an urgent need of promoting Financing for Development, South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Capacity Development for tangible results and impact.

The Ministers present in Abidjan agree to take forward the conclusions of the Regional meeting to the upcoming AUC/ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (CAMEF) due in Abuja, March 2014.

Working with the Government of Mauritania as the current Chairperson of the African Union, Government of Cote d’Ivoire, AU Commission and the NEPAD Agency, Africa voice should be impactful in Mexico.