NEW YORK, NY, September 22, 2008: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves co-chaired a High-Level Roundtable on Africa's Development Needs, on a day dedicated to African Development at the United Nations. Prime Minister Gonswalves was one of only four non-African Heads of State or Government to be honoured with a co-chairing assignment. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon set aside an entire day to discuss African development, and the centerpiece of this day was a set of roundtable discussions with world leaders. Each of the four roundtables had 2 co-chairs - one from the African continent, and one from another part of the world. Prime Minister Gonsalves who co-chaired with President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.

Prime Minister Gonsalves, who spoke at an earlier roundtable, took his place as co-chair in the UN Economic and Social Council chamber and led discussion among other heads of state, heads of government, ministers and members of international organisations and NGOs.

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister was the only Head of Government from the Caribbean, North or South America to chair the prestigious high level roundtable.