It is a great honour to address you today as we come to the end of the year 2005, the Year of Africa. As a member of the Commission for Africa and as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for human settlements, I thank you for calling this meeting to see how we move beyond 2005 and turn promises into policy. Having devoted considerable effort to the report of the Commission for Africa, I am most anxious to ensure follow through and longer term commitment.