“When I see Africa, I see hope and potential.” he told journalists at a press conference in Addis Ababa. “I see countries working together, including here in the AU, to promote peace and development.”
Focusing on the huge untapped potential of young Africans, he said their “infinite energy” and “new way of thinking” could provide solutions to profound, possible challenges benefit the whole world.
‘Moral bankruptcy’
Africa’s recovery, especially due to uneven rollout of a COVID vaccine since 2021, is being held back by what he calls a “moral bankruptcy of the global financial system.” .
Being held hostage to repay debt, many countries simply cannot advance or invest, while food insecurity continues, most severe in the Horn of Africa, where 36 million people live. at risk of historic drought.
Many countries are trapped in a spiral of debt that hinders investment in critical systems and services, while food insecurity plagues millions across the continent – including 36 Millions of people are suffering from the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in decades.
Repair trust
In response, he said the continent “received only small drops of support to adapt to this destruction.
“The world is counting on Africa. But Africa cannot trust the world. That has to change,” he declared. “We need to repair trust, strengthen development, and put Africa’s future at the heart of the solutions our world needs.”
First, he said Africa needs new partnerships to boost stalled economies and grow. There are tools to provide the urgently needed assistance, but they need to be used “with much greater flexibility and speed”, such as Drawing Rights which are particularly favorable for liquidity and debt forgiveness. .
Second, Africa “deserve and need climate support”, based on last month’s step towards climate justice secured at COP27 in Egyptwith the establishment of the Loss and Damage fund.
“However, the promise of doubling adaptation financing to $40 billion annually has not been met,” the UN chief noted, citing sub-Saharan Africa’s adaptation costs alone, estimating up to $50 billion annually over the next decade.
Joint press conference between Secretary General António Guterres (left) and the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ability to pay
“Africa cannot pay this bill alone. Nor should,” Guterres said. He added, developed countries must keep their commitment to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries and reform the entire international financial structure.
“And I will continue to push for the Climate Solidarity Pact to mobilize financial and technical support to accelerate emerging economies’ transition to renewable energy and uphold Goal 1, 5 ° C.”
Peace is never easy — but peace is always needed – Secretary General
Ultimately, he said, content needs and deserves peace, with conflicts continuing to rage from the Sahel to the Great Lakes and areas north of the AU’s own home country.
He added: “We discussed today how our organizations are working to ensure peace across the continent, including consolidating a negotiated agreement on Tigray, based on recent AU-brokered cessation of hostilities.
‘Peace is never easy’
In the wake of the coup d’etat outbreaks in recent months, he stressed that “unconstitutional government changes are unacceptable. They are not part of the civilized world.”
Strong peace enforcement and counter-terrorism operations in Africa, authorized by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the Convention unchartedis essential, said the head of the United Nations, supported by stable and predictable funding.
“Peace is never easy – but peace is always necessary,” he concluded. “The United Nations will continue to work with the AU to deliver the peace, prosperity and climate justice that Africans deserve.”
Earlier on Thursday, the Secretary-General had a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, along with the Chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. Mr. Guterres reiterated his full support for the full implementation of the recent agreement on ending fighting in the north. He stressed that the entire UN system would provide humanitarian assistance to all those in need.
