Statement at the Opening of the Eighth ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance

"A critical issue in the global financial architecture is the problem of Africa's external debt and its impact to the people of this continent. Again and again we have made the point that the heavy external debt undermines the economic development of African countries. It is also contributing to the state of instability that prevails in some parts of the Continent, generating excruciating suffering to the people, and denying a better future for generations to come." - Dr. Salim, November 21, 2000