voa标准英语2008-Regional Infrastructure Tops Agenda at West Afri

The development of regional infrastructure¹, particularly transport and energy, to facilitate the economic integration² process in West Africa is the main issues being considered at a regional summit underway in Abuja, Nigeria.

The one-day summit is reviewing plans drawn³ up the presidents of Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau for upgrading infrastructure in West Africa, the poorest region of the continent.

Experts say the economic integration process in West Africa has been impeded⁴ by poor infrastructure. Existing road, railway, port networks were mainly built during the colonial era and are not well connected. Poor infrastructure has blocked the quick movement of goods and people in the region and pushed up transports costs.
　

Mohammed Ibn Chambas (file photo)

ECOWAS President Mohammed Ibn Chambas emphasized the urgent need to strengthen regional mechanisms⁶ to promote integration and development in the context of the global financial crisis.

"A regional common market of nearly 300 million with an effective ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme in which there is free movement of persons and goods can compensate⁷ for the loss of foreign markets for our goods caused by shrinking global demand," he said.

For his part, outgoing Ghanaian president John Kuffour said the region has made commendable⁸ progress in the past few years and stated that the region was on a path to long-term success.

"As I prepare to leave office, I can say that I do so with a lot of optimism for the future because from whatever angle one may look at it, our region is moving forward while effectively responding to the challenges of change coming from within and outside the continent," said Chambas.

Leaders of the 15-member bloc⁵ are also considering political and security issues, including drug trafficking and organized crime.

The head of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping and the president of the Africa Development Bank are also attending the Abuja summit. A new chairman is expected to be elected to head ECOWAS for the next 12 months.

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

3 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

4 impeded   

阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Work on the building was impeded by severe weather. 楼房的施工因天气恶劣而停了下来。
• He was impeded in his work. 他的工作受阻。

5 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

6 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

8 commendable   

adj.值得称赞的

参考例句：

• The government's action here is highly commendable.政府这样的行动值得高度赞扬。
• Such carping is not commendable.这样吹毛求疵真不大好。