New York – October 17, 2014

Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s joint debate offers us a unique opportunity to share views on issues of importance to the African continent, taking stock of the progress made and challenges ahead.

During the High-level Panel discussion on the “Africa we want”, which launched the Africa Week on 13 October, some thoughts on the state of Africa and its future were shared. The important role the international community can play towards the Africa of the future was also highlighted.

When Africa celebrated 50 years since the founding of the OAU/AU, in May last year, it reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to the African Renaissance. It also set out to develop Vision 2063, as a new fifty-year socio-economic development vision, which seeks to establish an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent. I am confident in saying that, Africa is rising and Africa is ready to deliver on its promise. The international community has played a crucial role in supporting Africa’s growth and development, and this partnership remains of critical importance.

Excellencies

Through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Africa established a coordinated socio-economic framework for its development. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, important progress has been made in the overall implementation of NEPAD in several key sectors.

Infrastructure development is an area that will facilitate diversification of African economies and unleash their full productive capacity. With the adoption of NEPAD’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) in July 2012, African Leaders laid a foundation for the development of critical regional and continental infrastructure.

Africa needs hydropower dams and transmission lines to facilitate production. It needs roads, railways and ports to facilitate commerce and trade. It needs core ICT infrastructure to support trade in goods and services, as well as governance structures.

The efforts under NEPAD in coordinating development of infrastructure across the continent through PIDA’s priority Action are commendable. Over the last 12 months, of the 51 projects and programmes envisioned, 16 national and regional projects were identified as quick wins for financing and implementation. These projects were subsequently showcased at the Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure held this past June in Dakar, Senegal.

Growth in the agricultural sector has long since been identified as a key area of focus for African countries’ development transformation. It is important that the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) continues to receive attention, as a guiding framework for the development of this sector.

These projects and others will require enormous amounts of resources, but financing by governments alone is not enough. Other sources of funding, especially from the private sector, including specialised funds, should be tapped into. The Presidential Infrastructure Champions Initiative (PICI), adopted to prioritise and fast-track the implementation of key regional projects is a step in the right direction. Strengthened bilateral and regional cooperation to develop joint cross-border projects will also be important going forward.

Improving access to sustainable sources of clean, reliable and affordable energy will also be crucial to Africa’s economic and social development. The United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative, which aims to ensure universal energy access by 2030, has highlighted the importance of access to electricity.

Excellencies,

Malaria remains one of the most serious health problems facing the world today. According to the World Health Organisation, 80% of the estimated 207 million malaria cases worldwide in 2012 were in Africa. Malaria is endemic, especially in tropical Africa, with an estimated 90% of the total malaria incidence and deaths occurring there. Pregnant women and children are especially at risk.

Since the General Assembly adopted the first resolution on malaria in 2000, the world has witnessed significant political commitment to the fight against the disease. We should all be proud of the fact that just 10 years after the passage of the first resolution, more than 1.1 million deaths from malaria were averted.

Our success should not lead us to complacency. We should redouble our efforts on malaria and strive to reach our ultimate goal of its total eradication. We must press on with conviction and determination that this preventable and treatable disease can be eradicated in our lifetime.

I thank you.