22 September 2008
Amid growing concerns that Africa is lagging behind other regions in the global campaign to halve poverty by 2015, the General Assembly is convening a high-level meeting today on “Africa’s development needs: the state of implementation of various commitments, challenges and the way forward”.

The MDG Africa Steering Committee, which reported in June 2008, was commissioned by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The report indicates that large parts of Africa, where some states are fragile or emerging from conflict, remain ‘off track’ for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is happening despite the rise in many of Africa’s economies. The report suggests the need for increased investment by the private sector. It also highlights the particular vulnerability which Africa faces from climate change.

The "Africa Summit" will focus on all 8 of the MDGs and the roundtable discussions will be open to allow member states to discuss what they consider to be the priorities within the different goals. At the same time there are many side events which focus on specific goals and targets including the Gleneagles Scenario Approach to scaling up ODA.