The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday described its ongoing African conference for finance ministers and central bank governors as a platform to convey key messages to the G-20 Summit.

IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn told some 300 participants to the two-day conference that it is not only the moral duty but the historic obligation, given the colonial history of the African continent, as well for the developed world to assist the developing world, Africa in particular.

"The international community must help Africa at this time of great need," said Mr. Kahn.

But the IMF chief admitted that he was concerned that the G-20 is not well equipped to hear the voice of Africa. "While the G-20 is certainly more representative than the G-8, it still excludes 165 of the IMF's member countries."

The G-20 leaders are scheduled to meet in London next month for another crisis-oriented summit.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, whose government plays a co- host with IMF to the Dar es Salaam conference, told participants of the conference that the message should be for development partners to deliver their promises and commitments so as to assist the African countries to achieve the MDGs.

Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, who is now president of the Global Humanitarian Forum, told a press conference alongside the conference that the message should make the G-20 leaders "keenly aware (that) it is a global issue" and that the G-20 do not speak for the entire world.

"So the voice of the poor is important and everyone should be included to help stimulate economy."

The IMF chief said that the messages can be conveyed through the Dar es Salaam conference. "In this conference, the IMF can be your voice."

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2009)