Ethiopia's prime minister stated that the increase in trade between China and India with Africa, along with greater investment and tolerance from traditional partners, has had a positive impact on the continent's development climate. He mentioned that African countries now have more control over their own destiny due to the favorable external environment. China's trade with Africa has significantly increased from $364 million in 1978 to $40 billion in 2005, while India's trade rose from $613 million to $11 billion during the same period. This influx of money, along with the no-strings-attached trade and aid policies of both nations, has led Western donors to ease restrictions on funding for Africa, which they traditionally dictated. Meles stated that there has been a noticeable shift in the attitudes of traditional development partners, with a greater willingness to accept alternative development paths in Africa. He also noted that the interest from India and China has provided new investment and technology opportunities, leading to a significant increase in foreign direct investment and contributing to Africa's rapid economic growth. In 2007, the continent saw an average growth of 5.8 percent, according to United Nations data. However, intra-African trade remains low, making up only a small fraction of total trade on the continent, as reported by the African Union. Meles addressed development issues such as rising food and energy prices and the impact of climate change on African economies at an African Union-UN Economic Commission for Africa conference. He mentioned that China and India's increasing demand for food, raw materials, and commodities has both positive and negative effects on Africa. The statement released by the African Union and United Nations on Monday warned that the rising prices of staple foods led to social disturbances in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal, and Mauritania in 2008. Abdoulie Janneh, who holds the position of U.N. under-secretary general and executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, stated that the issue of high food and oil prices on a global scale will require African countries to find a way to balance their roles as both producers and consumers. Janneh emphasized the importance of ensuring that these vital goods remain affordable without hindering the price signals that encourage higher production levels.