Special Report: President Hu attends outreach session of G8 Summit, visits Sweden

    HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The industrialized nations will continue to support good governance throughout the African continent, leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) said Friday.

    "Good governance in Africa is vital to peace, stability, sustainable development and growth," the G8 said in a declaration issued after its leaders met with counterparts from some African nations at an outreach session.

    In supporting good governance, the G8 leaders urged African countries, under the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), to voluntarily take a critical look at their development challenges to identify solutions and appropriate action.

    "The G8 will encourage more African states to join the APRM and support efforts to accelerate progress in the APRM and the implementation of necessary reforms," the declaration said.

    Leaders from the world's major economic powers also said they strongly support efforts to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of public finance.

    "Competent, transparent, and accountable public financial management is a central element of a functioning democracy," they said.

    In addition, the G8 leaders pledged to support infrastructure development, regional integration and trade in Africa.