UN General Assembly
2001

of the continent, based on national and regional priorities and on development plans prepared through a participatory process. It foresees a new framework of interaction with the rest of the world, including the industrialized countries and multilateral organizations. The encouragement given by the G-8 Summit and other multilateral institutions in Genoa, Italy, last July is much appreciated. We are also encouraged by the commitment assumed by ministers and heads of delegations at the high-level segment of the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council held in Geneva last July, in welcoming the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and calling on the United Nations system and the international community to support it. The invitation extended by the Council to the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure an effective and coordinated response of the United Nations system is a good course of action aimed at promoting sustainable development and active participation of Africa in the world economy. The African leadership and ownership of the NEPAD must be guaranteed during its implementation.