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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly Joint Debate on the New Partnership for Africa\u2019s Development: <\/strong><\/p>\n P<\/strong>rogress in implementation of sustainable development in Africa and international support – item 65(a)<\/strong><\/p>\n Causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa \u2013 item 65(b)<\/strong><\/p>\n General Assembly, 79th session <\/strong><\/p>\n 14 October 2024 \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It is an honour to welcome you to today\u2019s joint debate.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today, we focus our attention on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the promise of Agenda 2063 across the continent of Africa.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We do so at a uniquely opportune moment.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Just weeks ago, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future<\/strong>, acknowledging the special challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries, in particular African countries, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today, as Africa pursues its transformational agenda, there has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Although home to vast energy and agricultural resources, African countries face persistent deficits in electricity access and high levels of food insecurity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Although rich in financial resources, many suffer debt distress, relying on debt relief and suspensions to manage their debt service obligations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These pressures are worsened by an unjust global financial system. A system that prioritizes high interest rates and debt servicing over common sense investments in resilience and social services.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This situation has pushed many African countries to the brink of default.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As a result, Africa\u2019s development financing gap has ballooned to $1.6 trillion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Publicly available statistics indicate that the continent will need about $194 billion<\/strong> in additional financing annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the bleak economic outlook, Sub-Saharan Africa shows signs of inherent tenacity like the baobab tree dotting its landscape.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After bottoming out at 2.6 percent in 2023, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 3.4 percent in 2024 and 3.8 percent in 2025.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To accelerate action on the 2030 Agenda, we need renewed urgency in tackling structural inequalities and improving conditions for the 462 million people living in extreme poverty on the continent.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today, let us do our part to help translate Africa\u2019s untapped ingenuity into solid foundations for inclusive growth and shared prosperity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This includes acknowledging that Africa\u2019s vibrant working age population is expected to grow by 450 million<\/strong> by 2035.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the right investments<\/strong> in education, health systems, technology and entrepreneurship, their potential to drive transformative change is unlimited.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With more effective financial management<\/strong>, stronger domestic resource mobilization and better use of debt as a development tool, African economies can fortify and sustain their growth.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With scaled-up international financial support and de-risked investments, African economies can better attract<\/strong> investment, lower costs and challenge exaggerated perceptions of risk.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Along with a more ambitious reform of the global financial architecture, one that better serves, and represents Africa\u2019s needs, the continent would be positioned to harness its massive potential.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For these efforts to succeed, durable peace must prevail in Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This requires urgently finding political solutions to the various conflicts across the continent, from the Sahel to Sudan, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Somalia.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Success also requires countering terrorism and violent extremism across communities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n However, these actions alone are not enough to achieve sustainable stability.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Promoting peace and advancing the rule of law in Africa demands a comprehensive strategy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One that encompasses legal reforms<\/strong> and broad societal transformations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One that addresses the root causes<\/strong> of injustice and inequality.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And one that places human dignity<\/strong> at the heart of its approach, recognizing that traditional institution strategies have failed to close the justice gap.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Achieving universal access to justice in Africa means breaking down the systemic barriers<\/strong> that perpetuate cycles of poverty and lock people out from the education, employment, markets and services they need to participate equally in daily life.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It means prioritizing vulnerable communities in re-imagining justice systems.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And it means addressing the intersecting obstacles preventing women from unleashing their full potential.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As President of the General Assembly, I pledge to keep the spotlight on Africa\u2019s promise \u2013 honing our focus on support for Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In this context, the means of implementation, especially finances, science and technology, are of utmost importance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As we engage in today\u2019s joint debate, let us be guided by the spirit of partnership and solidarity that is the hallmark of Africa itself.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Africa must continue to rise.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Africa must remain resilient and hopeful.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let us remain steadfast in our commitment towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future on the continent and beyond.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharon Birch<\/strong>,\u00a0Spokesperson for\u00a0the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email:\u00a0birchs@un.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh,\u00a0<\/strong>Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990,\u00a0mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0:\u00a0Website<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0YouTube:\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0X (Twitter):<\/a>\u00a0Instagram<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0LinkedIn:\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0Photo Repository:\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0Remarks by the President of the General AssemblyMr.\u00a0Phil\u00e9mon Yang,Joint Debate on the New Partnership for Africa\u2019s Development: Progress in implementation of sustainable development in Africa and international support – item […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-281436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Mr.\u00a0Phil\u00e9mon Yang,<\/strong><\/p>\n
[As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n