AHG/ST. 3 (XVI) Rev. 1 Realizing that the political regime which protects basic human rights and democratic freedom is essential for mobilizing the creative initiative of our people for rapid economic development including scientific and technological innovation; Recognizing the need to take urgent action to provide the political support necessary for the success of measures to achieve the goals of rapid self-reliance and selfsustaining development and economic growth; HEREBY DECLARES AS FOLLOWS: 1. That we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our Governments and peoples to promote the social and economic development and integration of our economies with a view to achieving an increasing measure of self-reliance and self-sustainment; 2. That we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our Government and peoples to promote the economic integration of the African region in order to facilitate and reinforce social and economic intercourse; 3. That we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our Governments and peoples to establish national, sub-regional and regional institutions which will facilitate the attainment of objectives of self-reliance and self-sustainment; 4. That, more specifically, we commit ourselves individually and collectively on behalf of our Governments and peoples to: a) Give an important place to the field of human resources development by states to eliminate illiteracy; b) Put science and technology in the service of development by reinforcing autonomous capacity of our countries in this field; c) Self-sufficiency in food production and supply;