STATEMENT BY AFRICAN GROUP CHAIR H. E. DR. MOHAMED SIAD DOUALEH
PERMENANT REPRESENTATIVE OF DJIBOUTI TO THE UN
NEW YORK, 15TH JANUARY 2024
Mr. President,
Secretary-General,
Excellencies and distinguished delegates,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group.
At the outset, the Group wants to express our profound gratitude to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the comprehensive report presented to us.
This document reflects not only the global challenges we face but also the opportunities to strengthen multilateralism and ensure that no continent, no nation, and no person is left behind.
Africa continues facing a lot of challenges. As highlighted in the report, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been slow, and the disproportionate impact of climate change, armed conflicts, and economic crises continues to threaten the well-being of millions of Africans.
Allow, me Mr. President to emphasize the follow priority areas that require urgent and collective action:
1. Sustainable Financing and Debt Relief
The debt crisis is a fundamental obstacle to development in many African countries. As we strive to reduce poverty, create jobs, and build resilient infrastructure, many of our governments are burdened by unsustainable debt. The African Group calls on the United Nations and international partners to strengthen mechanisms for debt-for-development swaps, allowing our financial resources to be invested in health, education, and sustainable infrastructure instead of servicing historic debt.
Latest statistical data indicates that Africa owed $1.4 trillion in its external debt by 2023 which hindered funding for critical sectors of health and education (African Development Bank, 2024). The African Union through its Strategy for Domestic Resource Mobilization seeks to reduce external borrowing.
Addressing debt distress and debt sustainability, in addition to extending debt relief, debt suspension and cancelation are matters of great importance to the African Group,and require comprehensive medium and long-term solutions.
Furthermore, we reiterate our support for the Secretary-General's proposals to reform the international financial architecture, ensuring that African countries have fair access to financing on equitable terms. The continent needs an annual financial stimulus of $500 billion, as recommended, to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
2. Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution
The Group remains concerned about the ongoing conflicts in the continent.
The African Group call on the need to redouble investments on prevention diplomacy. Preventing war is cheaper and more effective than peace making and peace enforcement operations.
Success of preventive diplomacy depends on predictable, adequate and sustained financing.
This is evidenced by the African Union’s flagship initiative- Silencing the Guns by 2030-that seeks to promote peace and security in the continent.
Peace in Africa is crucial for the development of the continent.
3. Strengthening UN-AU Cooperation
The UN-AU cooperation has evolved significantly over the last decade, including the signing of strategic frameworks in peace and security and sustainable development, as well strategic coordination between UNSC AU PSC. Nevertheless, there is room for further improvement.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, adopted in December 2023, on the funding of AU-led peace support operations, was in important step to further strengthen the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).
The African Group demands its full, speedy and unconditional implementation. We need the UNSC to fully support AU PSC peace lead initiatives not to block it. We need to rethink and have the courage to change the way we do business under chapter 8 of the UN Charter - Africa regional mechanism need to take the lead when it comes to peace and security initiatives on the continent.
The African Group look forward in working with wider membership on PBC review and on the resolution on United Nations and African Union Cooperation.
4. Climate Resilience and Environmental Action
Africa is one of the continents most affected by climate change, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. (3.8% of Green House Gases emissions; (UNEP, 2024)). The impact of droughts, floods, and desertification is devastating communities, threatening food security, and forcing millions of people to relocate.
The African Group welcomes the launch of the African Carbon Markets Initiative and the global commitment to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund.
We reiterate the importance of fair and predictable climate financing, with a more equitable distribution of adaptation and mitigation funds. The African Group calls on developed countries to honor their promises to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate financing, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in the global green transition.
To conclude, Mr. President, The African Group reaffirms its commitment to the principles of multilateralism, the UN Charter, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
We believe that the challenges we face today become opportunities for a more prosperous and inclusive future. Together, we can build a resilient, sustainable, and peaceful Africa – an Africa that fully contributes to global progress and prosperity.
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I thank you.
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