High-Level Dialogue The Africa We Want: Reconfirming the Development of Africa as a Priority of the United Nations System”

H.E Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the ECOSOC,

Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

I am honoured to co-convene this dialogue today jointly with my friend and colleague Ambassador Kelapile.

Our goal is to focus attention on commitments made toward Africa’s development, with particular attention to progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.

Under our respective presidencies, we have committed to advocating for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on the most vulnerable, including Least Developed Countries, Land-locked Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States, and countries in Africa.

Today, we are putting the spotlight on Africa, a continent that is rich with human and natural resources and enormous untapped economic and social potential, yet still faces challenges in the realization of development goals.

Excellencies,

Of all regions, Africa has arguably undergone the most dramatic transformations in the United Nations’ 76-year history.

During that time, many African countries have fought for, and won, independence, all the while being immersed in struggles for socio-economic development, peace and security.

Africa today is a region that has adopted and pursued a transformational agenda towards sustainable development, and is chartering a path towards prosperity, unity, peace, and integration.

Indeed, Africa’s commitment  to its own development can be read throughout the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Agenda 2063, and the entirety of the SDGs.  

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was largely influenced by the common African position on the post-2015 development agenda, and African countries championed the need for an agenda that reflected economic growth, human development, and durable peace and security, all in tandem.

In this regard, and in the past year, the United Nations has partnered with the African Union and signed comprehensive frameworks on peace and security, as well as on the coherent implementation of the 2030 and 2063 development agendas, with the aim of delivering as one in support of Africa’s development and vision.

We are moving in the right direction, but we still need to do more.

According to the first continental report on implementation of Agenda 2063, issued in February 2022, Africa has achieved an aggregate score of 51 percent against the 2021 targets.

While African countries face similar challenges to much of the world with respect to global setbacks: climate change, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fuel prices, and inequality, these are often exacerbated by underlying vulnerabilities, heightening their impact across SDG progress.

Yet, progress remains possible, particularly with investment in people, especially women and youth.

Investing in women and youth is critical to sustainable development progress overall. However, it is even more critical for addressing the climate crisis.

With COP27 in Egypt on the horizon, we have the opportunity to rally in support of African countries, particularly their needs and priorities, to ensure meaningful progress against climate change.

This includes ensuring access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, as well as vastly enhanced investment in adaptation, which is only becoming more urgent by the day.

We must also capitalize on the synergies of the 2030 Agenda and the 2063 Agenda by tackling the long-standing constraint of lack of access to finance. We must work together to unlock domestic and innovative sources of finance to support sustainable development and climate action on this great continent.

Excellencies,

The sustainable development of Africa is a priority for the United Nations and the international community. However, we have to face this reality: collectively our actions often fall short of the level of ambition required to deliver on commitments.

Let us recommit to achieving sustainable development in Africa.

Let us assess where action is lacking and take concrete steps to foster progress.

Let us come together and identify actions to fulfil existing commitments, as well as help generate new ones that reflect our ever-changing world.

My friends,

“The Africa We Want” should not be a distant dream, but rather our collective endeavour. And with resolve, continued commitment, perseverance and support from the international community and the UN system, we should endeavour to make it a reality.

I invite you to join The ECOSOC President and I in a Call to Action to accelerate implementation of commitments for the sustainable development of Africa. We have shared the text of this Call to Action with delegations, and I encourage you to support this call in your statements during the two roundtables that will be held here today.

 I thank you.