Welcome to the United Nations
It is expected that efforts to consolidate governance institutions throughout Africa will be rewarded by the fruits of social stability and economic wellbeing. While remarkable strides have been made in some circumstances, substantial gaps persist in countries which are still grappling with the issues of civil strife, political instability and poverty. Many of these gaps can be attributed to the continued existence of fragile political, social and economic institutions. Strong and dependable institutions provide frameworks within which people can work jointly towards positive common futures. Strong institutional frameworks in social and economic governance will provide the enabling environment for development when they can ensure foresight, strategies and implementation followthrough to meet the challenges of diverse regional situations and a turbulent global economy. These frameworks extend beyond the civic society fabric and the legal basis to include institutions, such as creative think tanks, strong operational ministries, robust court and police systems and lively community and civil society processes.