[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Csaba\u00a0K\u0151r\u00f6si<\/em>,<\/em> President of the 77th<\/sup> session of the General Assembly<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n —-<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Interactive multi-stakeholder dialogue on the review of the implementation of commitments made towards Africa\u2019s development<\/strong><\/p>\n 21 July 2023 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n (As delivered)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Madame Deputy Secretary-General,<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n Once again, Good morning and thank you for joining today\u2019s dialogue.\u00a0<\/p>\n With this biennial<\/span> report, Africa, a continent comprising of 54 Member States, is finally receiving the attention it deserves.<\/p>\n It is a high quality report, what we have in our hands.<\/p>\n It is evidence-based, very well structured, and many thanks to the authors for the authors of the report who prepared it for us.<\/p>\n Our discussion today should also be rooted in evidence, in solidarity, and in science.<\/p>\n These factors are essential for fostering collective action to safeguard Africa’s hard-earned progress and advance the achievement of the SDGs.<\/p>\n The report of the UN Monitoring Mechanism offers concrete recommendations to bolster collaboration.<\/p>\n They address gaps in the implementation of the transformative development goals set forth both in global and regional plans.<\/p>\n In this regard, let me emphasize three key points:<\/p>\n Firstly, the report introduces a new methodology and a novel system-wide approach that places an emphasis on financing for development.<\/p>\n With Africa\u2019s urgent needs for buttressing its efforts to mobilize adequate funding for reaching the SDGs across the continent.<\/p>\n Indeed, the report sheds a stark light on significant implementation gaps in financing commitments.<\/p>\n On the one hand, African countries have made progress in increasing domestic resource mobilization.<\/p>\n On the other, public spending inefficiencies result in an annual loss of a staggering $70 billion.<\/p>\n In addition, illicit financial flows are said to drain a total of $88 billion from the continent every year.<\/p>\n Combined, it is $158 billion.<\/p>\n There is a pressing need to enhance the capacity of national tax administrations and to strengthen international tax cooperation to curtail the damage caused by these flows.<\/p>\n Moreover, Official Development Assistance falls significantly below the agreed targets outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.<\/p>\n It is crucial that we work together to fully and promptly fulfil ODA and climate finance commitments so that Africa’s SDGs financing gap could be bridged.<\/p>\n It is not the solution, but it is an important part of the solution.<\/p>\n Secondly, addressing gaps in implementation requires an approach that is comprehensive and expands the policy space.<\/p>\n This means:<\/p>\n – reforming the global financial and economic architecture,<\/p>\n – alleviating mounting debt burdens,<\/p>\n – promoting industrialization, and<\/p>\n – reversing the decline of Africa’s share in global trade.<\/p>\n Thirdly, we should also recognize the pivotal role of energy as a catalyst for structural transformation and sustainable development in Africa.<\/p>\n Inadequate access to electricity costs Africa between 2% and 4% of its GDP annually.<\/p>\n The continent’s energy demand is escalating, driven by urbanization, population growth, and industrialization.<\/p>\n We must respond by ensuring sufficient, affordable, and reliable access to electricity.<\/p>\n Energy affordability can be greatly improved by promoting energy access for low-income households and addressing the gap between urban and rural areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n The road to a fully resilient Africa will not be without challenges \u2013 we know that.<\/p>\n It will require substantial investments in people, infrastructure, and coping mechanisms.<\/p>\n But what it demands first and foremost is unshakable solidarity with Africa.<\/p>\n Solidarity both from within the continent and from the global community.<\/p>\n Solidarity based on the understanding that the prosperity of our world, and the security on our globe can never be complete without sustainability in Africa.<\/p>\n Revitalizing the global partnership for development and boosting international support to this continent are indispensable for reaching the SDGs \u2013 and not only in Africa!<\/p>\n Dear Colleagues, \u00a0<\/p>\n I wish you fruitful deliberations during today\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n And my parting message is as follows:<\/p>\n Let us help Africa rise.<\/p>\n Let us help Africa transform.<\/p>\n Let us see Africa rise.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Csaba\u00a0K\u0151r\u00f6si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly —- \u00a0 Interactive multi-stakeholder dialogue on the review of the implementation of commitments made towards Africa\u2019s development 21 July 2023 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Csaba K\u0151r\u00f6si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly\r\n\r\n----\r\n\r\nMessage on the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO)\r\n\r\n7 April 2023\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOn this World Health Day, I congratulate WHO on its 75th anniversary.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOver the course of its history, WHO has contributed to landmark achievements in public health, including the eradication of smallpox, the near eradication of polio and the expansion of childhood immunization, saving millions of lives.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMore recently, WHO has played a key role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped galvanise the most complex vaccination campaign in history. Time and again, WHO has proved that investing in science lies at the heart of reaching our objective of a healthy and prosperous future.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHowever, the pandemic has disrupted essential health services in most of the countries, shortened life expectancy, and halted progress towards universal health coverage.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHalfway through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we must redouble our efforts to achieve its goals. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs we prepare for the upcoming high-level meetings on health in the General Assembly, let us seize this opportunity to reconfirm our collective pledges and chart new pathways for a healthy and sustainable future.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOn this day and every day, let us commit to achieve Health for All.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-255205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-statements","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n