The cooperation between African and Asian NGOs must be strengthened. The following is the outline, including a few excerpted paragraphs from the Action Plan. Promoting Human Development 17. Sustainable human development is the ultimate objective of development. Social development, in turn, helps enhance the capacity of the poor to participate productively in economic and social activities and improve income distribution.
Poverty is widespread in Africa, with the majority of the poor living in rural areas.
It is estimated that women account for about two-thirds of the African poor, and the feminization of poverty is an issue that requires special attention. The experience of poverty reduction in East Asia demonstrates that rapid economic growth with equitable income distribution over a sustained period of time can help lift the poor above the poverty line. With regard to social development, sub-sector targets should be set and resources allocated for the priority areas of education, health and population, and special measures for the poor. A major challenge for African countries is to raise and sustain growth rates at much higher levels and to create employment and increased income for effective poverty reduction. At the same time, globalization presents additional challenges and new opportunities for African countries.