Far too often, Africa is viewed from outside 鈥渢hrough a prism of problems鈥� said UN chief听Ant贸nio Guterres听on Thursday, speaking in the Ethiopian capital, home to the African Union, where he has been taking part in the sixth UN-AU annual conference.
鈥淲hen I see Africa, I see hope and potential鈥�,听he told journalists听at a press stakeout in Addis Ababa. 鈥淚 see countries working together, including here at the AU, to foster peace and development.鈥�
Focusing on the huge untapped potential of African youth, he said their 鈥渓imitless energy鈥� and 鈥渘ew ways of thinking鈥� could provide solutions for deep-seated challenges, that could benefit the entire world.
鈥楳orally bankrupt鈥�
Recovery for Africa, especially in light of the unequal COVID vaccine rollout since 2021, was being held back by what he called 鈥渁 morally bankrupt global financial system.鈥�
Held hostage to debt repayment, many countries simply can鈥檛 advance or invest, while food insecurity persists, most acutely in the Horn of Africa where 36 million are at risk from an historic drought.
Many countries are locked into spirals of debt, preventing investment in vital systems and services, while food insecurity stalks millions across the continent - including 36 million people suffering from the Horn of Africa鈥檚 worst drought in decades.
Repairing trust
In response, he said the continent was 鈥渞eceiving mere droplets of support to adapt to this destruction.听
鈥淭he world is counting on Africa. But Africa could not count on the world. That must change鈥�, he declared. 鈥淲e need to repair trust, supercharge development, and place Africa鈥檚 future at the heart of the solutions our world needs.鈥�
Firstly, he said Africa needed new partnerships to boost stalled economies and development. The tools are there to provide the urgent support needed, but they need to be used 鈥渨ith much greater flexibility and speed鈥�, such as favourable Special Drawing Rights for liquidity, and debt relief.
Secondly, Africa 鈥渄eserves and needs climate support鈥�, building on last month鈥檚 step towards climate justice听, with the establishment of a Loss and Damage fund.听
鈥淗owever, the promise to double adaptation finance to $40 billion annually has not been met鈥�, the UN chief noted, with sub-Saharan Africa鈥檚 adaptation costs alone, estimated to run as high as $50 billion annually over the next decade.
鈥淎frica cannot foot this bill alone. Nor should it鈥�, said Mr. Guterres. Developed countries must keep their pledge to provide $100 billion each year for developing nations, and reform the whole architecture of international finance, he added.
鈥淎nd I will keep pushing for a Climate Solidarity Pact that mobilizes financial and technical support to accelerate emerging economies鈥� transition to renewable energy and keep the 1.5 degree goal alive.鈥�
国产AV is never easy 鈥� but peace is always necessary - Secretary-General
Finally, he said the content both needs and deserves peace, with conflicts continuing to rage from the Sahel to the Great Lakes, and the northern regions of the AU鈥檚 host country itself.
鈥淭oday, we discussed how our organizations are working to ensure peace across the continent鈥�, he added, including shoring up a negotiated settlement over Tigray, building on the recent AU-brokered cessation of hostilities agreement.
鈥樄鶤V is never easy鈥�
Amid a rash of coup d鈥櫭﹖ats in recent months, he stressed that 鈥渦nconstitutional government changes are not acceptable. They are not part of the civilized world鈥�.
Robust African peace enforcement and counter-terrorist operations, mandated by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the听, are essential the UN chief said, backed by stable and predictable funding.
鈥湽鶤V is never easy 鈥� but peace is always necessary鈥�, he concluded. 鈥淭he United Nations will continue working with the AU to deliver the peace, prosperity and climate justice that the people of Africa deserve.鈥�
Earlier on Thursday, the Secretary-General had a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, along with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. Mr. Guterres reiterated his full support for the full implementation of the recent agreement over ending fighting in the north. He stressed that the entire UN system would provide humanitarian support to all those in need.听
