Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, leaders from African nations voiced their commitment to achieving sustainable development and called for a more equitable and prosperous world.
A recurring theme in speeches delivered by the Presidents of Seychelles, Namibia, Ghana, Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia was the urgent need to rebuild trust and rekindle global solidarity in the face of complex changes.
They expressed unwavering support for the听2030 Agenda听and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that the current trajectory falls short of ambitions, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their addresses, leaders also highlighted the need for reform of the听Security Council听to make that 15-member body more representative and effective.
Accelerate joint efforts
President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles听emphasized that the international community must accelerate joint efforts to make transformative advancements on the SDGs.
鈥淲e must prioritize SDG implementation at all levels,鈥� he said, noting the need to align national policies and strategies with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, while strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders.
He called on development partners to deliver on their Addis Ababa Action Agenda promises on development finance and on international financial institutions to 鈥渆mbrace reform鈥� and ensure that the unique needs of vulnerable countries are considered in access to development financing.
Reiterated that addressing the climate crisis 鈥渋s no longer optional 鈥� it is an immediate necessity,鈥� President Ramkalawan expressed Seychelles鈥� commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Transition to green energy
He noted Namibia鈥檚 plans to develop green shipping corridors in partnership with other key stakeholders, aiming to create carbon-neutral maritime value chains for clean fuel and products.
President Geingob also noted the impacts of听COVID-19听and its lingering aftermath, that pushed many across the world into extreme poverty, as well as worsening inequalities.
鈥淭he terrifying gap between the wealthy and the marginalized is not just a moral concern, but also a threat to global stability and harmony,鈥� he said. urging efforts from all countries to create an environment where prosperity is shared and is inclusive.
Things are not right
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, said that the theme of the General Assembly session, rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity, 鈥渋s an acknowledgement that things are not what they ought to be in our world.鈥�
鈥淭he mutual trust among nations that is required to ensure harmony has considerably diminished,鈥� he said.
The Ghanaian President highlighted that his country firmly believes that the United Nations is the best means for the world community to address the multifaceted challenges they face.
But the Organization can only function effectively and deliver on expectations, when its fundamental pillars are reformed, 鈥渁nything short of that will continue to undermine its credibility,鈥� he said.
Institutions need reform
鈥淚t is essential that we do everything in our power to continuously promote respect for and observance of the values set out in the听听and international law, so that we can correct the dangerous trajectory that the world took after the fall of the Berlin Wall,鈥� he said.
President Louren莽o noted that developing countries lack sufficient representation in institutions of world governance and therefore are unable to contribute to formulation of realistic solutions to their problems.
鈥淭his situation generates anxiety and frustration among the most vulnerable populations who, by not having their expectations met, become easily permeable to negative influences that are dangerous to the order and stability of their respective countries,鈥� he said.
Commitment to democratic governance
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone听highlighted his country鈥檚 commitment to democratic governance and human rights, as well as the primacy of regional peace, particularly within the context of the West African subregion.
鈥淪ierra Leone raises its voice alongside our ECOWAS community, expressing unequivocal dissent towards any extra-constitutional changes of Government,鈥� he declared, noting that such actions imperil not only individual nations but also the 鈥渃ohesive fabric of the broader African identity.鈥�
The President鈥檚 message for cooperation and collaboration went beyond regional borders, calling for rebuilding trust and solidarity on the global stage.
Quoting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 鈥渢here comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We must go upstream and find out why they鈥檙e falling in,鈥� President Bio urged world leaders to address the root causes of today鈥檚 problems.
鈥淥ur duty is clear: We must lift our people from poverty,鈥� he said.
Unity, resilience and ambition
He emphasized the need for collective efforts to address the challenges and realize the 2030 Agenda and urged bilateral and multilateral collaborations.
Since his first address to the General Assembly, five years ago, when he informed the Assembly of the peaceful democratic transition in his country, 鈥渨ith your support and that of our friends, we have kept the democratic torch burning鈥�, President Weah said.
鈥淟iberia鈥檚 journey is best captured in the spirit of unity, resilience, and ambition,鈥� he added, urging the international community that together, through collaboration and shared purpose, 鈥渨e can, and must shape a world that upholds the rights and dignity of every individual.鈥�
