MARRAKECH, Morocco, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Participants at a summit of African cities called on developed countries and international institutions to support Africa's efforts to minimize the effects of the world economic crisis, local channel reported 2M Sunday.

They stressed the need for industrialized countries and regional and international financial institutions to back up African countries to carry on the development process in an economic situation characterized by recession and difficulties to have access to loans.

The participants made the remarks at a meeting on the margins of the fifth summit of African cities, which began on Wednesday in the third largest Moroccan city of Marrakech.

The participants called on developed countries to adopt new eco-friendly production and consuming methods, and stressed the need for a new partnership between the private and public sectors, and to foster the principle of local governance.

The five-day summit at the west-central Moroccan city brought together the mayors of the major cities and towns in African countries.