British Secretary of State Jack Straw has announced the New Partnership for Africa Development (Nepad), the socio-economic recovery plan of the Africa Union, as the epitome of multilaterism, which would result in a peaceful and prosperous continent. Giving a lecture at the University of South Africa in Pretoria today on the future of multilaterism, Straw said Nepad’s ideals of good governance and partnerships would attract trade and investment into Africa. The secretary welcomed commitment of African leaders to bring peace in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“Nepad’s logic is straightforward. It recognises that if Africa is to thrive, then its future must be founded on the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These are the real attractors and multipliers of trade, investment and success,” he said.

Straw pledged the UK’s support towards these initiatives. Straw commented on the crisis in the Middle East by saying that ending the misery of Israelis and Palestinians should be a top priority of multi-lateral systems. – BuaNews.