Ethiopia's prime minister stated that the increase in trade and investment from China and India, as well as greater tolerance from traditional partners, has positively impacted Africa's development. The external environment has become more favorable, allowing African nations more control over their own future, according to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Trade between China and Africa reached $40 billion in 2005, up from $364 million in 1978, while India's trade rose to $11 billion from $613 million in the same period. The influx of money from China and India, along with their no-strings-attached trade and aid policies, has influenced Western donors to ease restrictions on funding in Africa, which they traditionally controlled. Meles noted a noticeable shift in attitudes among traditional development partners, as well as a greater acceptance of alternative development paths in Africa. He highlighted the positive impact of India's and China's interest in providing investment and technology to boost Africa's economy, leading to a significant increase in foreign direct investment and rapid growth on the continent. Despite Africa's average 5.8 percent growth in 2007, trade among African nations remains low, making up only a small fraction of total trade in the region, according to the African Union. Meles spoke at a conference hosted by the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa to address development issues such as increasing food and energy prices and the impact of climate change on African economies. He noted that while China and India's demand for food, raw materials, and commodities has led to rising prices, it also poses risks to African economies. The African Union and United Nations issued a statement on Monday cautioning that the escalating cost of staple foods has been linked to social unrest in four African countries - Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal, and Mauritania. Abdoulie Janneh, a U.N. under-secretary general and executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, stated that the rising global prices of food and oil would require Africa to find a balance between its dual roles as both a producer and consumer. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that these essential goods remain affordable, while also allowing prices to signal the need for increased production.