Hundreds of political leaders, businessmen and economists have gathered in South Africa for the World Economic Forum on Africa. The three days of discussions in Cape Town this year are focused primarily on the world economic downturn and how to lessen its effect on African economies.
在南非，数以百计的政治领导人、企业界人士和经济学家聚集一堂，参加非洲世界经济论坛。今年在开普敦举行的三天论坛重点讨论世界经济下滑和如何减轻世界经济下滑对非洲的影响。
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma Wednesday opened the World Economic Forum on Africa telling delegates that they were meeting in difficult times.
南非总统祖马星期三在非洲世界经济论坛开幕式上讲话，告诉各代表团他们是在艰难的时刻开会。
He noted that industrialized economies have responded to the world recession and its related job losses with stimulus programs and widened social safety nets. But he said developing nations do not have these resources.
他表示，工业化经济体以刺激计划和扩大社会安全网络的方式对世界经济衰退及其相关的失业问题作出回应。不过他说，发展中国家没有这些资源。
"For most African countries, that are still highly indebted and dependent on aid for their revenues, the continuation of the current crisis will mean increased starvation, poverty and child mortality," said Mr. Zuma.
他说：“对于多数非洲国家而言，它们仍然债台高筑，依赖援助作为收入，当前危机的持续将意味着更多饥饿、贫困和儿童的夭折。”
He said African governments should try to cushion African people against the impact of the crisis but added that they should also respond by planning for a recovery.
他说，非洲各国政府应该设法减弱这场危机对非洲人民的冲击。他还说，非洲各国政府也应该为复苏进行筹划。
Mr. Zuma said the global economic crisis highlighted the need to reform the international financial system and multilateral lending groups like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
祖马说，这场全球经济危机显出，有必要改革国际金融体系和世界银行和国际货币基金组织这样的多边借贷机构。
But he warned against overreacting by raising protectionist barriers and called for renewed efforts to conclude the Doha round of trade talks.
不过，他告诫各方不要以增加保护主义壁垒来作出过度反应。他呼吁重新努力，完成多哈回合贸易谈判。
Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also warned of the harmful effects of the global recession on Africa during the launch of the annual report of the Africa Progress Panel.
联合国前秘书长安南在非洲进步小组发表报告期间，也针对全球衰退对非洲所产生的有害作用发出警告。
But he said the downturn also provided an opportunity to forge a new relationship whereby Africa drives its own development agenda in partnership with the world community.
不过他说，经济下滑也提供了打造新关系的契机，非洲借此机会以跟国际社会合作的关系来推动非洲自己的发展日程。
The head of the South African Planning Commission, former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, welcomed the report.
南非计划委员会主任、前财政部长曼纽尔对这份报告表示欢迎。
"In the global economy there has to be that inter-mediation," said Manuel. "And indeed with that inter-mediation between wealth and poverty in the world you need to ensure that there are rules that are applied and you need to ensure that there is accountability."
他说：“在全球经济中，必须有那种内部调停。的确，由于有了世界上贫富之间的内部调停，你需要确保有必需实行的规则，你需要确保规则要落实，确保有责必究。”
The World Economic Forum also released its Africa Competitiveness Report which said that African competitiveness in global markets was hindered by under-developed infrastructure, healthcare, education and financial institutions.
The Forum continues with discussions on improving the investment climate in African countries, adapting training for the unemployed to changing job markets and diversifying the exploitation of natural resources in order to ease cyclical downswings.
论坛与会者继续讨论改进非洲各国投资环境的问题，为失业人员提供培训，以适应就业市场，以多样化形式利用自然资源，以避免环境的循环恶化。 |