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I would like to add my thanks to the Prime Minister for his effective leadership of the Commission. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of Minister Tørnaes and her Secretariat. It has been a great pleasure to be part of this innovative group.

In the midst of a deepening recession, food shortages, volatile energy prices and climate change, Denmark's leadership as a key partner in Africa's development is most welcome.

Denmark's outsize contribution to Africa's progress comes as no surprise. It is already a leader in meeting its aid commitments to Africa. Its support for Africa's private sector and youth is a natural extension of Denmark's already impressive track record. And the Prime Minister has announced his intention to build on this record. We welcome his leadership.

I very much appreciate the Commission's call for greater emphasis on private-sector growth and employment in the global development agenda. The private sector is the engine of growth. No country has developed on public investment alone.

In an uncertain world, the Commission's initiatives will support Africa's own development priorities. They will help Africa stand proudly on its own and build on its own initiatives under institutions such as the NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development. They will help Africa build a foundation for growth and economic progress that will endure.

I also salute the Commission's focus on youth. There is no question that we need to give Africa's future generation the tools it needs to succeed.

I want to emphasize that the Commission's recommendations are a useful addition to our shared efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Africa.

We have identified and developed five practical initiatives that could make a real difference. Initiatives that respond to the needs of Africa's youth. Initiatives that will lay the foundations for Africa's greatest resource?its young people?to realize its full potential.

The United Nations system will be an effective counterpart in implementing these initiatives. Next year, the world will meet in New York to review ten years of progress on the MDGs. The Africa Commission's recommendations will play a key role in guiding our efforts to ensure the Goals are achieved by 2015.

As a daughter of Africa, I thank you again, Mr. Prime Minister, for this opportunity to serve my homeland.