We the African Ministers responsible for transport and Infrastructure meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 6 th of April 2005 to consider the importance and role of Transport in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);

Cognisant of the importance and role of transport infrastructure and services in facilitating access to markets, economic opportunities and social services in a manner that significantly reduces poverty;

Guided by the Global Millennium Declaration that seeks to eradicate poverty and bring about sustainable development to the entire human race;

Concerned about the lack transport infrastructure, particularly good quality infrastructure as well as inadequate and costly transport services in Africa;

Mindful of the need to increase investment in transport infrastructure and services and enhance efficiency in Africa's transport systems as key strategies in facilitating economic and social development in the continent;

Recognizing the key role of the African Union (AU) in the coordination and harmonization of transport sector policies, strategies, standards, regulatory frameworks and programs;

Noting with appreciation the various transport development programmes under the auspices of national, regional and continental frameworks including African Union /NEPAD;

Taking note of the importance of full and effective implementation of the Almaty Program of Action on transit transport cooperation;

Committed to ensuring that due attention is paid to the improvement, upgrading and expansion of transport infrastructure and services and, particularly, the eradication of physical and non-physical barriers along transport corridors, maritime ports and inland waterways. Attention should also be paid to enhancing the access of rural and remote areas to markets, inputs and social services;

Further committed to the principles of good governance in the transport sector by adopting appropriate strategies for sustainable resource mobilisation and effective management of activities related to maintenance and development of infrastructure as well as regulation and efficient provision of transport services at affordable cost;

Desiring to consolidate our aspirations into clear, achievable and inspiring transport targets and indicators for ensuring the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);

Hereby commit to implement the following objectives, targets and strategies in the transport sector:

(a) Targets

1•  Access to inputs and markets and generation of employment opportunities, improved by halving the proportion of rural population living beyond 2 km of an all-season mode of transport by 2015.

2•  The difference in average transport cost within Africa as compared to Asia be narrowed down by 50% by 2015.

3•  Rural access and urban mobility improved and cost reduced to eliminate constraints on the time, which all children have to participate in education and to enable effective education to be delivered and reached safely by 2015.

4•  Rural access and urban mobility improved for reliable supply of inputs to health facilities, to provide affordable access for all households and to enable cost effective outreach health activities by 2015.

5•  Emergency transport response for medical emergency and catastrophe in rural communities improved through community communication facilities linked to improved transport services by 2015.

6•  Ensure that transport sector ceases to be an agent for spreading HIV/AIDS by 2010.

7•  Rate of accident fatalities arising from road and other means of transport reduced by half by 2015.

8•  Urban and rural residents for whom mobility problems severely constrain access to employment and essential services halved by 2015.

9•  Environmental sustainability promoted in all transport operations and development programmes by 2015.

10•  Production and use of leaded petrol ceased by 2015.

11•  Transport cost for landlocked and transit countries reduced by half and their access to global markets improved by 2015.

12•  All physical and non-physical transport barriers that increase journey time, customs clearance and border delay and impede the flow of goods and services dismantled by 2015.

13•  Axle load limits, as well as technical standards for equipment and infrastructure for all modes of transport harmonised and implemented by all RECs by 2015.

14•  Services of all modes of transport improved, fares reduced and movement of persons and goods facilitated in all African countries by 2015.

15•  Compliance with and adherence to international transport conventions on safety, security and trade facilitation.

16•  Consideration of the phenomenon of desertification and sand movement in the transport policies and programmes.

17•  Consideration of gender issues in transport polices and programmes.

(b) Implementation Strategies

1•  The AU, RECs and member states should adopt a clear implementation approach that articulates the effective institutional structure at the continental, regional and national level.

2•  The AU should take clear responsibility for coordinating delivery on the programme in the regions.

3•  Implementation at the level of Member States should be coordinated by regional economic communities (RECs), which should be required to report to the African Union regularly.

4•  The implementation institutions need to focus on three key pillars for programme implementation:

•  institutional strengthening and integration;
•  formulation and implementation of clear and practical strategies and plans; and
•  ensuring that there is adequate delivery capacity in terms of human capital, funding, administrative systems and training and research support.

5•  The AU should develop a strong implementation oversight mechanism, within its current institutional structure in order to ensure real time assessment of progress towards the achievement of the MDGs.

6•  The AU should adopt a set of clear criteria to prioritise projects.

7•  The key priority projects, related to MDG 8, should aim at connecting the continent, completing the missing links thus integrating infrastructure across modes, RECs and member states.

8•  The AU and RECs should play a greater role in mobilizing finance for projects that meet the criteria of the programme.

9•  The AU, RECs and member states should improve their legal frameworks in order to ensure increased participation of the private sector participation through such schemes as public private partnerships (PPP) in transport funding.

10•  Introduce specific fiscal interventions to yield more revenues for transport.

11•  The African Union should present this Declaration to its 5 th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for endorsement and subsequent presentation to the UN MDG review conference in New York in September 2005.

(c) Support to the African Union, RECs and Member States

•  The UNECA, AfDB, World Bank, the European Union and other partners should support transport strategies and programmes of the African Union, RECs and the member states in the attainment of the targets related to the MDGs.

•  The UN-OHRLLS should continue its coordination effort to mobilize international support and awareness for transit transport cooperation, advocating for transit transport programmes, including Almaty programme of actions, for Africa elaborated and implemented within the framework of the African Union/NEPAD and the RECs.

MEETING OF THE AFRICAN MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORT ON THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS)
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 4 – 6 APRIL 2005