15 May - Abuja. South African Minister of Finance and Commissioner Trevor Manuel presented the report of the Commission for Africa at the annual United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) gathering of Ministers.

In the presence of UNECA Executive Secretary and Commissioner KY Amoako, Mr. Manuel stressed that Africa’s economies are growing at faster rates than other world regions, reflecting that Africans are making the tough decisions that are needed. He said the Commission for Africa had come out strongly in support of African institutions, but these needed external resources if they were to make progress in policies needed to reach the MDGs.

In their closing statement, the finance ministers said: We recognize, however, that in the immediate term our progress towards the MDGs must be accelerated through a significant increase in resources from outside. Our capacity to absorb aid has increased making it possible for us to make good use of additional resources . We therefore endorse the call from the Commission for Africa's report for “a big push” in financial support for Africa from the international community in line with the global commitment to meeting the MDGs, and in particular, the Commission's proposal for a major fund to develop African infrastructure.

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