Joint Assembly of the Convention concluded between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) - Resolutions adopted on the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa (ACP-EU/2130/97/fin.)

The ACP-EU Joint Assembly,

- meeting in Brussels from 17 to 20 March 1997,

A. having regard to Articles 1 and 5.1 of the Fourth Lomé Convention as amended, relating to the objectives and principles on which cooperation between the ACP States and the European Union is based,

B. whereas in May 1988 the 41st World Health Assembly committed itself to the total eradication of poliomyelitis by the year 2000,

C. having regard to Resolution AFR/RCR5 1995 of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, as a strategy, which unanimously agreed that the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa and the creation of National Days for Vaccination constituted an adequate strategy for attaining that objective by the year 2000,

D. having taken due account of the Yaoundé Declaration for a poliomyelitis-free Africa, as adopted by the OAU Heads of State and Government at their 32nd ordinary session held at Yaoundé, Cameroon from 8 to 10 July 1997,

E. having regard to the progress so far achieved world-wide with the eradication of this scourge in 150 countries,

F. reaffirming the Action Plan for the implementation of the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of the Child in the Nineties, adopted by the World Summit on the Child held in September 1990 in New York,

G. appreciating the true value of the African strategy in accordance with which a high-level committee presided over by President Nelson Mandela has been entrusted with the task of promoting social mobilization in the different countries of that continent and of seeking financial support from development partners,

H. noting the efforts already made by the European Community to support the development of health services in general and vaccination in particular,

I. stressing that the financial requirements for eradicating poliomyelitis are of limited duration,

1. Notes with appreciation the ACP States' communication relating to a campaign for the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa;

2. Fully supports the implementation of strategies devised and adopted by Africa relating to the organization of a National Day for Vaccination;

3. Welcomes the efforts already made by the WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other sources of financing to enable Africa to resolutely embark on the programme for the eradication of poliomyelitis;

4. Expresses its appreciation and support to President Nelson Mandela for his unstinting efforts to help create in Africa the conditions for promoting sustainable development;

5. Calls on the international community to lend its support to the programme for the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa;

6. Urges the European Union to play a leading and coordinating role to encourage and support the countries, in particular those on the African continent, fighting to eradicate this scourge;

7. Requests the European Commission to contribute to the implementation of action programmes supported by African countries, by providing the necessary resources in the framework of the regional programme provided for under the Fourth Lomé Convention;

8. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.