The Pillar of Economic Governance and Management The Pillar of Economic Governance and Management (EGM) builds on the various pronouncements of the Declaration on Democracy, Political and Economic Governance and the NEPAD Framework Document. Under the Declaration, African countries recognise that ‘good economic governance including transparency in financial management are all essential prerequisites for promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.’ The NEPAD Framework posits that political and social vulnerabilities have an antithetical relationship with peace and security on the continent. By consolidating democracy and sound economic management, conditions and foundation for the essential people-centred development can potentially foster peace and security. Good governance entails identifying and implementing the enabling conditions required to increase economic growth and reduce poverty.272 Conflict thrives when poverty and inequality arising from weak economies causes significant inequalities in the dividends of economic growth and rampant corruption. The NEPAD Framework Document notes the imperative of peace and security, underwritten by sound political and economic governance conditions that can address social inequalities. This pillar overall addresses various objectives of economic management such as implementation of economic policies for sustainable development, ownership and participation of key stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation, Sound public finance management, anti, corruption and money laundering, deepening and accelerating regional integration and trade and investment policies that promote economic growth. This section focuses on some of the APRM objectives in this pillar. Priority EGM issues relating to gender and peacebuilding a) Implementing economic policies for sustainable development The APRM reviews the strategies developed by countries to create sustainable development and the opportunities that have been established to create wealth, 272 AHG/235 (XXXVIII) 90