“Africa is a home of hope,” says Secretary General António Guterrescites the continent’s “growing and vibrant youth population”.
And with initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Decade of Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion, and the bold African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 of proposed a game changer, he declared “the prospects ahead are very bright”.
Obstacles to success
However, the top UN official reminded that there are “many challenges preventing Africa from reaching its full potential”.
He pointed at COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on African economies along with climate change, unresolved conflict and a severe food crisis.
And the war in Ukraine is exacerbating the challenges, “setting the perfect storm for developing countries, especially in Africa.”
“This crisis is leading to rising food, energy and fertilizer costs with dire consequences for food and nutrition systems, and making it even harder for the continent to mobilize financial resources. necessary to invest in its people,” detailed the Secretary-General. .
Days to remember
Africa Day marks the 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity, now known as the AU, and offers an annual opportunity to reflect the challenges and achievements of the continent.
Among African countries, the institutions of the United Nations have long played an important role in promulgating the fundamental values of the Charter and Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man (UDHR).
From peace and security to economic and social development and regional integration, the United Nations has proven itself to be an indispensable partner.
Unite
With the AU designated by the AU as the Year of Nutrition 2022, the Secretary-General called on the world to “come together in solidarity with all Africans to increase food security and put nutrition within reach of everyone”. .
We must also step up efforts to end the pandemic, reform the global financial system, stop climate change, and silence all conflicts.
The head of the United Nations concluded by pledging to continue to support the Organization “proudly on the side of Africans as we strive to deliver on our promise of a peaceful and prosperous Africa”.
