    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 18, 1999]
    [Pages 401-402]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    United States-Africa Ministerial Joint Communique
    March 18, 1999

        From March 15-18, 1999, the United States hosted the first-ever
    meeting of African and American Ministers to enhance the U.S.-Africa
    partnership in order to foster greater economic development, trade,
    investment, political reform, and mutual economic growth in the 21st
    century. The President, eight members of the Cabinet, and four agency
    heads met for the first time with the African delegations. Eighty-three
    Ministers from forty-six sub-Saharan African nations, representatives
    from four North African nations, and the heads of eight African regional
    organizations participated in this historic and successful meeting.
    African Ministers also met with members of the U.S. Congress.
        In an effort to consolidate and build upon the significant progress
    achieved in Africa in recent years, Ministers and senior U.S. officials

    [[Page 402]]

    discussed concrete ways to accelerate Africa's integration into the
    global economy. African Ministers expressed strong support for the
    immediate passage by Congress of the African Growth and Opportunity Act
    and for continued implementation of the President's Partnership for
    Economic Growth and Opportunity.
        U.S. and African Ministers engaged in an active exchange on a broad
    range of economic, political, and social issues. They shared the view
    that high indebtedness constitutes a serious constraint to sustainable
    development in many African countries. In response to African requests
    for more effective debt relief, President Clinton proposed a six-point
    expanded debt relief program for highly indebted poor countries, which
    was warmly welcomed by the African ministers.
        African and American officials discussed trade finance, market
    access, and access to private investment capital for ventures in Africa.
    Initiatives to enhance trade and investment links and economic policy
    dialogue were discussed as well as efforts to improve transportation and
    communications infrastructure and cooperation in agribusiness and
    energy. Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of addressing
    environmental issues. They noted that early ratification by the U.S.
    Senate of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification will help to
    mobilize community and international efforts to better manager land and
    water resources.
        African Ministers and their U.S. counterparts exchanged ideas on how
    to enhance Africa's ability to compete in the global market through the
    development of its greatest resource--its people. Emphasizing the need
    for accelerating reform and continued development assistance as well as
    trade and investment, participants examined ways to bolster human
    capacity through investment in education, skills training, gender
    equity, micro-enterprises and health, particularly the prevention of
    HIV/AIDS. All agreed that these steps will accelerate the ability of
    Africa to sustain socio-economic development and reduce poverty. They
    also recognized the crucial role of regional cooperation in the overall
    development process and in the integration of African states into the
    global economy.
        Recognizing that sub-Saharan Africa is a vast and diverse region
    marked by serious problems as well as significant successes, Ministers
    examined ways to enhance U.S.-Africa cooperation to prevent and resolve
    conflicts. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening
    democratic institutions and respect for worker and human rights,
    accelerating economic reform, and creating a positive climate for
    business through political and social reforms. Ministers noted that the
    Ministerial illuminated the breadth and depth of the U.S.-Africa
    partnership, and set it on a firm foundation for future mutual
    advancement in the 21st century. All recognized the need for continuing
    dialogue and agreed to work out the means of ensuring regular and timely
    follow-up.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.