2. 部长在开幕词中突出了非洲为定于 2001 年和2002 年初举行的联合国两项重要活动做好充分准备的重要性 鉴于非洲许多地区持续存在经济和社会问题 并且被排斥在全球经济之外 这些活动就显得特别重要 部长指出 非洲在调动发展资金方面面临严重困难 特别是在官方发展援助日益减少和债务问题持续存在的情况下更是如此 这种情况还由于艾滋病毒/艾滋病流行病猖獗而恶化 非洲及其发展伙伴需要协调努力 采取全面具体的措施来解决这个问题
2. In his opening statement, the Minister highlighted the importance of Africa being adequately prepared for the two important United Nations events scheduled for 2001 and early 2002. This was particularly important in view of the continuing economic and social problems persisting in many parts of Africa and its marginalization from the global economy. The Minister noted that Africa faced serious difficulties in mobilizing development finance, especially in the face of declining official development assistance (ODA) and the persisting debt problem. The situation had been worsened by the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, and there was a need for concerted efforts by Africa and its development partners to address the problem by adopting comprehensive and concrete measures.