– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
22 October 2019
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour to convene today’s plenary on these most important items, namely: the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace in Africa; and the decade to roll back malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
African countries have taken action for sustainable development by signing up to two important agendas: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the African Union Agenda 2063, which sets out a blueprint for the “Africa we want”.
Through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development framework, African countries have taken action on key issues including poverty eradication, promoting sustainable growth and development, fostering the integration of the continent into the global economy, and accelerating the empowerment of women.
The partnership with the new African Union Development Agency has led to great progress in many areas.
In agriculture and food security, over forty African States have engaged in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which provides a policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.
Furthermore, the Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training for Women Project works to increase women’s access to formal and non-formal training in the agri-food sector.
I reference these initiatives as they align with the priorities for the Seventy-fourth session, namely: poverty eradication and zero hunger, climate action, quality education, and inclusion.
Excellencies,
In order to end malaria, and ensure progress on Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063, financing for development must be the foundation of all of our efforts.
It is estimated that the continent of Africa will need to raise 11 per cent of GDP per year for the next decade to close the financing gap. Today, Africa’s average tax revenue to GDP is below 16 per cent. Efficient and effective domestic resource mobilization can address a substantial portion of this shortfall.
Excellencies,
African nations have made great strides towards bridging this gap with the creation of the largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organisation, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This will cover a market of 1.2 billion people and a GDP of $2.5 trillion.
Along with long-term, reliable private international capital flows – particularly foreign direct investment – and a stable international financial system, we can envisage a future of peace and prosperity for all of Africa.
We must take collective action, as UN Member States in transforming billions into trillions when it comes to bridging the financing for development gap. International support in the form of technology transfer, capacity building, and ODA commitments, as well as aid are required to ensure that we leave no one behind.
Bolstering our efforts with policies of good governance and transparency will help us combat illicit financial flows and foster our peoples’ confidence in global and national governance systems.
In this regard, the African Peer Review Mechanism provides an innovative approach to improving governance at all levels.
Excellencies,
Cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations is crucial to the attainment of peace and security in Africa. I welcome the recent joint declaration on cooperation for African peace support operations, and the Secretary-General’s taskforce supporting the African Union ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020’ initiative.
We must continue to support efforts to consolidate peace and security gains, particularly in the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions; and we must enhance sub-regional capacities to address cross-border and other cross-cutting issues which affect peace and security.
Let us not forget the fundamental goal of our organization is peace and security for all. The peacekeepers who don the blue beret on the continent of Africa are upholding the ideals of this organization.
We must therefore provide sustainable and predictable financing for peace operations. However, we can only effectively promote peace and security for the people we serve if we combine it with conflict prevention.
Let us not forget the fundamental goal of our organization is peace and security for all. The peacekeepers who don the blue beret on the continent of Africa are upholding the ideals of this organization.
Excellencies,
Inclusion is a cross-cutting priority for my term as President of the General Assembly, we will not have a UN that excludes; neither, can we afford to have an Africa that excludes. We must engage civil society throughout all of our efforts.
Women make up half of the world’s workforce, and we will not achieve Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 ambitions without addressing and removing the obstacles for women’s increased economic participation, entrepreneurship and empowerment.
Investing in women’s empowerment is a direct investment into the development of societies as a whole. Few things make better economic sense than gender equality and women’s empowerment.
We must also recognize the essential role of women as mediators, peacebuilders, and peacekeepers. The African Union “FemWise-Africa” initiative highlights the importance of women’s participation at all levels of decision-making in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts.
We must also enhance support for the African Union “Youth for Peace Africa” programme to engage youth in conflict prevention. The creation of decent jobs for young people is also a key tool for conflict prevention.
Around the world, we have heard young people call attention to the climate emergency. I call on you to take urgent measures together with the African Union and Regional Economic Communities in order to improve climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Excellencies,
I call on you to listen to, and learn from, our brothers and sisters who take the floor today.
Remember that we are nations, united; our prosperity and peace is interconnected. The actions we take to ensure sustainable development and security on the continent of Africa, benefits everyone, everywhere.
I am confident that by striving together, we will succeed in delivering for all.
I thank you.
