A/79/PV.20 General Assembly

It is an honour to welcome members to today’s joint debate. Today we focus our attention on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the promise of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want across the continent of Africa. We do so at a unique and opportune moment. Just weeks ago, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), acknowledging the special challenges faced by the most vulnerable countries, in particular, African countries, in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Today, as Africa pursues its transformational agenda, there has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development. Although home to vast energy and agricultural resources, African countries face persistent deficits in electricity access and high levels of food insecurity. Although rich in financial resources, many suffer debt distress and rely on debt relief and suspensions to manage their debt service obligations. These pressures are worsened by an unjust global financial system that prioritizes high interest rates and debt servicing over common sense investments in resilience and social services. This Despite the bleak economic outlook, sub-Saharan Africa shows signs of inherent tenacity, like the baobab tree dotting its landscape. After bottoming out at 2.6 per cent in 2023, economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 3.4 per cent in 2024, and 3.8 per cent in 2025. To accelerate action on the 2030 Agenda, we need renewed urgency in tackling structural inequalities and improving conditions for the 462 million people living in extreme poverty on the continent. Today let us do our part to help translate Africa’s untapped ingenuity into solid foundations for inclusive growth and shared prosperity. That includes acknowledging that Africa’s vibrant working age population is expected to grow by 450 million people by 2035. With the right investments in education, health systems, technology and entrepreneurship, the potential to drive transformative change is unlimited. With more effective financial management, stronger domestic resource mobilization and better use of debt as a development tool, African economies can fortify and sustain their growth. With scaled-up international financial support and de-risked investments African economies can better attract investment, lower costs and challenge exaggerated perceptions of risk, along with a more ambitious reform of a global financial architecture that better serves and represents Africa’s needs, the continent would be positioned to harness its massive potential. For those efforts to succeed, durable peace must prevail in Africa and beyond. That requires urgently finding political solutions to the various conflicts across the continent, from the Sahel to the Sudan, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Somalia. Success also requires countering terrorism and violent extremism across communities. However, those actions alone are not enough to achieve sustainable stability. Promoting peace and advancing the rule of law in Africa demands a comprehensive strategy that encompasses legal reforms and broad societal transformations, addresses the root causes of injustice and inequality and places human dignity at the heart of that approach, recognizing that traditional institutional strategies have failed to close the justice gap. Achieving universal access to justice in Africa means breaking down the systemic barriers that perpetuate cycles of poverty and lock people out from the education, employment, markets and services they need to participate equally in daily life. It means prioritizing vulnerable communities in reimagining justice systems, and it means addressing the intersecting obstacles preventing women from unleashing their full potential. As President of the General Assembly, I pledge to keep the spotlight on Africa’s promise, honing our focus on support for Agenda 2063. In that context, the means of implementation  — especially finances, science and technology  — are of the utmost importance. As we engage in today’s joint debate, let us be guided by the spirit of partnership and solidarity that is the hallmark of Africa itself. Africa must continue to rise. Africa must remain resilient and hopeful. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future on the continent and beyond.

I have the honour to make the following remarks on behalf of the Group of African States. The Group welcomes the convening of the joint debate on the agenda item regarding the development of Africa during the main part of the General Assembly session, as mandated by the relevant resolutions. That approach enhances the The joint debate is informed by the report of the Secretary-General, on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) (A/79/295), and on the promotion of durable peace through sustainable development in Africa (A/79/226 and A/79/265). We commend the reports’ focus on issues of significant importance to Africa’s inclusive and socioeconomic progress — putting Africa’s debt under the spotlight and examining the role of the rule of law in the context of Africa’s sustainable development and durable peace. These are key contributions to unlock concrete policy recommendations and enablers to achieve the vision encapsulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. Progress towards achieving those twin agendas, no matter how big or small, bring us one step closer towards a peaceful, united and prosperous Africa. We acknowledge that we are off track to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The reports help to identify policy recommendations that allow us to change that trajectory. In that regard, I wish to highlight the following key points. First, with regard to the Secretary-General’s report on NEPAD, Africa faces complex sustainable development challenges, but also significant opportunities. This year’s report is particularly timely, focusing on the theme “Unpacking the debt of Africa: towards a lasting and durable solution”. The continent loses between $500 and $600 billion of development financing each year that is generated but not mobilized, including in the form of illicit financial flows, public spending inefficiency, transfer pricing, tax loopholes and other similar challenges. Africa’s external debt has grown substantially during the past decade. Reaching a record level of $656 billion in 2022, or 28 per cent of its gross domestic product. Furthermore, according to the International Monetary Fund, African countries are expected to pay an unprecedented $89.4 billion in external debt service in 2024. The report also argues that 40 per cent of African countries spent more on debt servicing than on health in 2020, and they are reducing their spending on education to service their debt, which puts the more than 680 million people in those countries at risk. A lasting solution is therefore urgently needed. Let us not forget that debt can be an important source of financing for investment in the Goals if it is used to finance investment that fosters inclusive growth and structural transformation. Investing in the SDGs, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and adaptation can also reduce long-term economic risk. Predictable access to affordable financing is critical to finding a lasting solution to current debt challenges. Unlocking Africa’s domestic resource mobilization potential and investing in the economic transformation of Africa have been identified as strategic actions that can help de-risk African economies, build resilience and deliver sustainable development. Among the report’s key recommendations are aligning debt strategies with national development plans, explicitly taking into account the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, ensuring transparency and increasing predictable access to concessional financing, allowing new special drawing rights to help deliver the SDG stimulus, reforming the international financial architecture to massively advance long-term development funding and reforming the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative to make it more effective and fit for purpose in order to support countries in debt distress. For many African countries that are in debt distress and have limited access to international capital markets, the report makes the case for a comprehensive but Secondly, on the report on the promotion of durable peace through sustainable development in Africa, the focus on the rule of law speaks to the critical nature of the rule of law as a foundation for inclusive sustainable development, conflict prevention and peace in Africa. It highlights how challenges to the rule of law and access to justice have the potential to hinder economic opportunities, erode social cohesion and undermine political stability. The African continent’s obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals have been compounded by global crises, such as the coronavirus disease pandemic and ongoing conflicts across the globe, coupled with a worsening security situation and the deterioration of the rule of law. The 2022 Ibrahim Index of African Governance shows that 70 per cent of Africa’s population resides in a country where security and the rule of law have declined over the past decade. The interplay between the rule of law, sustainable development and durable peace is fundamental to the progress and stability of African nations. The report further highlights that recent data reveal that funding for justice, both by Governments and development partners, remains grossly inadequate, with global support at $2.9 billion annually, compared to $15 billion for education and $29 billion for health. Only 1.5 per cent of aid goes to the justice sector, down from 2.4 per cent seven years ago — a decrease of approximately one third. Strengthening the rule of law and access to justice across the African continent requires a comprehensive approach that must integrate a variety of legal avenues and services tailored to the diverse needs of African society. Successful efforts to expand access to justice in Africa have included the deployment of paralegal staff, the implementation of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism and the establishment of small claims courts. Collectively, those measures have addressed multiple barriers to justice and demonstrated the potential for successful reform. When considering approaches to expanding access to justice, it is critical to recognize the importance of customary and informal justice systems, which have historically been central to the justice landscape in Africa. Although formal judicial systems play a crucial role, meeting the justice needs of many African communities often fell to customary and informal systems, which continue to play a pivotal role in the broader legal framework across the continent. Today the influence of formal State justice structures remain limited in many areas, with significant imbalances in the ratio of judges to inhabitants and in the availability of legal professionals across African countries. The report calls for a radical shift away from conventional approaches if Africa is to achieve universal access to justice by 2030. Urgent action and a shift towards a people-centred approach are essential. People-centred justice recognizes that traditional institution-building strategies have failed to bridge the growing justice gap in the continent. Only by prioritizing the needs and aspirations of individuals and communities can we reimagine justice systems to better serve those they are intended to benefit. To achieve those worthy objectives, African Governments and development partners must collaborate to implement comprehensive policies that enhance the rule of law. That undertaking requires a strengthened focus on domestic resource mobilization, while also leveraging external financing to unlock predictable and sustainable resources. Those resources are crucial for building and maintaining In conclusion, the reports underlined that the delivery of sustainable development is intrinsically linked to the ability of African countries to deliver crucial services to their citizens. Debt burdens are limiting their capacity to fulfil that mandate. The lack of capacity of Member States to address the root cause of conflict also contributes to the persistence of fragility. Having welcomed the convening of the Summit of the Future and recognizing the adoption of the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1), it is essential to address the persistent bottlenecks that limit Africa’s ability to fully harness its demographic dividend and achieve sustainable development.

Thailand wishes to thank the Secretary- General for his reports (A/79/295, A/79/226 and A/79/265) and recommendations. The world needs Africa to shape the future. With its abundant resources and youthful population, the continent holds immense potential for more sustained economic growth, innovation and environmental sustainability. Driven by Agenda 2063, Africa has a clear vision for its own future of prosperity, good governance, peace and security. As 2024 marks the beginning of the Decade of Acceleration towards The Africa We Want, we pledge Thailand’s support to the implementation plan for a more prosperous Africa. As Africa’s development is a critical component of global development, it is our collective duty to ensure that Africa does not stand alone in its pursuit of the aspirations set out in Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Multilateral, regional and interregional efforts to assist Africa and its development journey must continue. Those efforts must also be reviewed and reinforced to address the emerging challenges facing the continent. In that regard, Thailand wishes to make the following three points. First, we urge solidarity and support for the long-term economic progress and advancement of African countries. As put forth by the Secretary-General, financing is the fuel for development. We call for scaling up funding and investment for Africa’s sustainable development, as set out in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. We also urge developed countries to fulfil their official development assistance commitments, as echoed in the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1). Thailand believes in trade as one of the key drivers for development. It can accelerate poverty reduction and propel a shift to a more resilient economic structure. We therefore applaud initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will not only boost trade volumes, but also bring about the establishment of a common framework and standards across Africa. Secondly, we recognize that our current international financial system does not adequately respond to the needs of African countries or to the diverse circumstances and priorities of economies at different stages of development. We therefore call for reform of the international financial architecture so that it better represents the voices of developing countries, including the voice of African countries. In addition, we must scale up the capitalization of multilateral development banks so that they can better respond to financing the needs of Africa. We also call for a greater allocation of special drawing rights. According to this year’s report, African countries have been spending twice as much in debt servicing as they do on health. To manage and ease the debt burden, priority should be placed on domestic resource mobilization, which would help reduce reliance on external debt financing and build resilience in the face of Thirdly and lastly, we need to reinforce constructive partnerships with Africa. For our part, Thailand has actively engaged in South-South and triangular cooperation. Supporting other developing countries in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our development projects in Africa range from agriculture to public health, human resources development and SDG-related issues, including Thailand’s development model based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. It is our priority to make sure our projects are relevant to our partners and on par with current challenges. In the past five years, more than 800 officials and students from Africa completed training and scholarship programmes organized and funded by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency. As part of efforts to expand technical cooperation with our African partners, in May, Thailand and Morocco launched the first joint training programme on climate change for African countries. We will continue strengthening our focus on capacity-building programmes, as we believe that human capital is a fundamental component to build a more sustainable future for Africa. To conclude, Thailand stands firmly by African countries in their pursuit of the right to development, guided by Africa’s needs and driven by its people. We encourage the international community to join hands and support our African friends to ensure the achievement of sustainable development and a prosperous future for Africa.

We thank you, Mr. President, for conveying today’s debate, and we align ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of African States. Rwanda reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Africa’s transformative vision and the 2063 Agenda. As we reflect on these strides made, we must also confront the persistent challenges that hinder our path to sustainable development. The Secretary- General’s reports review crucial insights that sustainable development, economic resilience and peace are deeply interconnected. Therefore, without addressing this intersection, our aspirations for a prosperous and stable Africa will remain elusive. On African debt and economic resilience, Rwanda joins all countries on urging the international community to support debt relief initiatives that go beyond temporary fixes and focus on long-term solutions. Allow me to turn my attention to the Secretary-General’s report on the outreach programme on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations, as contained in document A/79/265. Rwanda commends the outreach programme on the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as established in resolution 60/225 in 2005. The programme has played an indispensable role in ensuring that the memory of the victims is preserved, that the survivors’ voices are heard, and that the world learns from the tragic past we went through. By incorporating lessons on the genocide against the Tutsi into educational curriculum, organizing commemorative events and facilitating dialogue on reconciliation, the programme helps to counter genocide denial and combats genocide ideology that leads to genocide. Furthermore, the programme’s collaboration with civil society organizations and educational institutions worldwide is essential for countering and supporting the culture of peace around the world. It allows us to confront the past honestly and address the factors that can lead to violence. The commitment to prevention extends beyond Rwanda, serving as a model for global efforts to recognize and prevent of genocide and other crimes and mass Rwanda commends the countries that have observed the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. For instance, France and Canada formally declared 7 April as a day of remembrance of the genocide, joining the international community in honouring memory of the victims. Such acts of recognition are vital, as they foster global solidarity and commitment to ensure that the horrors of the past are not repeated. By remembering the genocide against the Tutsi, we underscored the reality that genocide is not confined to any one region, people or culture. In line with this commitment, Rwanda, with the support of the United Nations, installed the Kwibuka Flame of Hope on United Nations grounds on 11 September 2024. This monument commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and stands as a symbol of resilience and remembrance, reinforcing our shared responsibility to prevent future genocide. Finally, to further empower the outreach programme on the genocide against the Tutsi, several strategic actions need to be taken for its continued effectiveness in educating, memorializing and combating genocide denial on the global stage. The following are our proposals. First, additional funding would enable the outreach programme to expand its initiatives, reach more communities globally and support a wide range of educational activities. These include producing educational materials, conducting outreach campaigns and organizing more events. Secondly, mechanisms should be established for monitoring hate speech, genocide denial and distortions, particularly online. Partnering with tech companies to develop tools for flagging harmful content can help to counter these dangerous narratives. Thirdly, campaigns should be launched that highlight the importance of truth and historical accuracy. These campaigns should include survivors’ voices and emphasize the consequences of genocide denial, fostering a culture of remembrance and respect for human rights. Fourthly, survivors should be empowered as educators and advocates. Survivors bring invaluable perspectives that resonate with the people on a personal level. The programme can support survivor-led initiatives that focus on education and memorialization. By strengthening these areas, the outreach programme can continue to fulfil its mission of educating people, combating denial and distortions, and promoting human rights. We believe that the goal is not only to remember the past, but also to prevent future atrocities through a well-informed and proactive global world.

First, let me thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for the important reports presented here today. Allow me to present Latvia’s views on all three reports. Regarding the report entitled “Unpacking the debt of Africa a: towards a lasting and durable solution” (A/79/295), I would like to emphasize that, from our delegation’s perspective, Africa’s debt burden can only be managed through coordinated global and domestic efforts. To unlock the full economic potential of the continent, our urgent action is necessary to address the pressing issues in financing, energy and food systems across the continent. As the preparations for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development are under way, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to engaging with and responding to the needs and priorities of the most vulnerable populations. On the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, Latvia would like to emphasize the link between peace and development. In this spirit, we recently hosted the largest international forum on Latvia’s partnership with African countries. Participants from 18 African nations and their Latvian counterparts engaged in dynamic discussions on the women and peace and security agenda, education, digital solutions, smart agriculture and information resilience. Latvia leverages its expertise in these areas to expand our development cooperation with African countries. Development projects have been carried out or are under way in South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Answering our African partners’ call for stronger contributions to the International Development Association’s twenty-first replenishment, Latvia is proudly stepping up with a 60 per cent increase, driving ambitious goals for transformational development. We urge others to follow suit. As a regular contributor to the Peacebuilding Fund, we call for further efforts to seek coherence between the United Nations and the African Union, as well as other relevant partners, including civil society representatives. On the outreach programme on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations, we would like to praise the United Nations efforts to mobilize civil society for remembrance and education purposes. As a sign of solidarity with the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, we unveiled a memorial in our capital city of Riga on 30 September. The memorial serves as a reminder of the horrific atrocities committed during that tragic period and honours the lives lost. It reinforces Latvia’s unwavering stance against genocide and crimes against humanity. Our own history, marked by decades of foreign rule, has imbued us with a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for justice and human dignity everywhere. By 2050, more than one third of the world’s youth will live in Africa, contributing to a vibrant future defined by dynamism and innovation. We must recognize that Africa’s success is integral to global success. I invite all of us to use this momentum and our joint commitments for the peace and resilience of African countries.

South Africa aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Chad on behalf of the Group of African States. We wish to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive reports under the agenda item on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to Agenda 2063, progress in the implementation of sustainable development in Africa and causes of conflict and promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa (A/79/226, A/79/265 and A/79/295). South Africa also extends its appreciation to delegations for their constructive engagement and support. We appreciate the support provided by the Secretary- General and the United Nations at large for Africa’s road map with aspirations and goals for its future, “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”, and its flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and Silencing the Guns. It is a future in which children, youth and women and our people in general are prioritized, a future in which the rich tapestry of our culture and the diversity of our people are harnessed for the benefit of the people and the continent. It is a future of good governance, justice, human rights, equality and the basis of freedoms all humans aspire to and should be offered. The recently adopted Pact for the Future (resolution The New Partnership for Africa’s Development recognizes the enormous development challenges facing the continent. It highlights the need for enhanced and coordinated efforts to tackle those challenges, including eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, reducing inequalities, achieving food security, tackling climate change, and promoting industrialization, infrastructure development and regional integration, among others. The Secretary-General’s report (A/79/295) recognizes the debt challenges facing Africa, which severely limit its ability to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, coupled with the recent global shocks that have also underlined the vulnerability of the continent, which is compounded by the historically extractive nature of its economies. It highlights the rise in debt risks in many African countries, with 60 per cent of them either at high risk of or already in debt distress. Servicing costs have grown faster than the rate at which African countries can generate export earnings. The report also highlights the structure of the international financial architecture as an impediment to addressing African debt, notably the lengthy and complex restructuring mechanisms and limited instruments for managing risk and shocks. We should take full cognizance of and remind ourselves that both agendas, the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063 are our responsibility to implement as Africans and the broader developing and developed world. As responsible members of the international community of States, there should be a clear and ongoing commitment to harmonize structures and processes to deliver on both Agendas. We cannot fail to mention the need to reverse the scourge of illicit financial flows out of the African continent, which have for decades now robbed African people and countries of much-needed resources for development. The Secretary- General’s report states that the continent loses between $500 billion and $600 billion annually, which is generated by Africa but not mobilized. We therefore support all efforts aimed at stopping illicit financial flows from the African continent. In 2025, South Africa will assume the chair of the Group of 20 (G20). South Africa will place Africa at the centre of the agenda of its G20 presidency. The inclusion of the African Union in the G20 gives greater impetus to our efforts to seek solutions and partnerships to address the issues that have impinged on our ability to effectively and collectively address the concerns our people have raised, and to realize the people-centred aspirations, as contained in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Among our commitment as chair of the G20 will be to call for addressing debt burdens that are constricting growth and impeding development and thus causing continued distress in many African countries. We will also repeat the calls we have consistently made for predictable and sustainable financing for development and call on developed countries to honour the commitments they have made. South Africa welcomes the focus of the 2024 report (A/79/226) on the causes of conflict and the overview of the peace and security landscape in Africa; the continent’s progress towards a Sustainable Development Goals; and the interlinkages between peace and security, development, humanitarian action and human rights in accelerating progress. The report paints a challenging picture about the security landscape in Africa. It is characterized by rising incidence of armed conflicts owing to a rising trend of terrorism, especially in the Sahel region. In sub-Saharan Africa, terrorism is linked to increased organized crime fuelled by drug trafficking, illegal mining and kidnappings. Drug-trafficking syndicates, In conclusion, the adoption of the Pact of the Future bodes well for Africa as an important step towards creating the conditions for the implementation of Africa’s 2063 agenda.

Ukraine welcomes today’s debate on the agenda item entitled “From the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to Agenda 2063: progress in the implementation of sustainable development in Africa and international support”. We take due note of the reports of the Secretary-General entitled “Unpacking the debt of Africa: towards a lasting and durable solution”, “Promotion of durable peace through sustainable development in Africa” and “Outreach programme on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations” (A/79/295, A/79/226 and A/79/265). Ukraine positively notes that the reports of the Secretary-General recognize that Africa has made progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. However, it is also highlighted that a significant acceleration of the implementation of the Goals is needed if they are to be achieved by 2030. We remain concerned that the African continent’s challenges have been exacerbated by soaring commodity prices, persistent inflation, economic slowdown and food insecurity. On a separate note, climate change has become a leading cause of economic disruption and forced displacement, potentially exacerbating conflict risks. Ukraine is concerned that the security situation in some regions of Africa, especially in West Africa and the Sahel, continues to be marked by fast-evolving regional context with heightened political tensions and instability, including armed conflicts and the spread of terrorism. It is also worth mentioning the destabilizing activities of foreign mercenaries, primarily Russian, in some African countries, as they continue to inflict irreparable damage to stability and security, fuel internal spats and conflicts, cause an increase in human losses. In addition, the activities of mercenaries lead to illegal mining and the expropriation of valuable minerals. Ukraine stresses the importance of continuing to provide financing for development and supporting the strengthening of the capabilities of African States to seize opportunities for proactive engagement with the wider world and advancing African ownership of international peace, security and development. We also underline that good governance, democratic transition, the rule of law and respect for human rights are critical for long-term peace and stability on the continent. Ukraine considers the crucial role of the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2719 (2023) on the financing of African Union peace support operations authorized by the Council to be an important step in bolstering international efforts to address peace and security challenges in Africa. Ukraine has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in Africa and has significantly contributed to that end. Despite the ongoing challenges caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its attacks on critical infrastructure of Ukraine, our country remains one of the top exporters of agricultural products and a Moreover, we are expanding the list of countries receiving grain. Recently, Ukraine decided to assist Zambia and Malawi with our Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme to alleviate the consequences of this year’s devastating drought. Moreover, we are considering providing supplies to other African countries. In conclusion, Ukraine is determined to maintain its role as an international aid provider to other nations, in particular in Africa.

The United States has long partnered with the African Union on shared priorities in ways that are supportive of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, bolstering the continent’s ability to contribute to solving global problems together. From its first day, the Biden-Harris Administration has supported infrastructure projects, sustainable development, good governance, public health, food security, climate security and humanitarian response efforts in Africa. The United States is catalysing investments in African people and businesses. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke at the United States-Africa Business Summit in Dallas earlier this year about our commitment to improve the regulatory environment and enhance regional integration, increasing investment opportunities with United States businesses. In the past year and a half alone, the Biden-Harris Administration has supported and helped close 547 new deals, for a total estimated value of over $14 billion. We were honoured to host the United States-Africa Leaders Summit, where we deepened the ties between our countries and peoples. Through initiatives, including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Power Africa and Prosper Africa, we have helped increase digital infrastructure, transportation and clean energy projects across the continent while also cultivating trade and investment ties. And we have invested $10 billion into 24 African countries through the Millennium Challenge Corporation to support growth and good governance. The United States stands, in the words of President Biden, ready to be a partner in solidarity, support and mutual respect. This is not about what the United States is doing for African nations. It is about what the United States is doing with African nations. As much as the United States Government allocates to Africa in foreign assistance, the United States private sector invests four times that in the African economy. Those investments are bolstered by public-private partnerships. We showcased a major example in the round table that Secretary of State Blinken hosted here in New York last month on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment flagship Lobito Corridor, aimed at developing transcontinental connectivity from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. The Partnership’s investments across the Lobito Corridor exemplify the United States commitment made at the Africa Leaders Summit to go beyond traditional aid and focus on partnership and investment. In fewer than 18 months since the initial commitment by the United States, more than $3 billion has been dedicated to developing the Lobito Corridor through investments in multiple interconnected sectors, including transportation and logistics, agriculture, clean energy, health and digital access. That kind of partnership approach is key because the ideas and innovations that start in Africa will help solve the problems that affect us all. That is the change we can create together. We agree with the assessment in the Secretary-General’s report on the promotion of durable peace through sustainable development in Africa (A/79/226). Indeed, the reasons for many of the current conflicts in Africa can be found in the continent’s past. The decolonization of the 1960s, unfortunately, did not always lead to a situation in which newly independent States could enjoy full-fledged economic and political sovereignty. Africa is facing new forms of exploitation, economic oppression and the subordination of its political interests to the interests of former colonial Powers. That compounds the factors contributing to instability on the continent: poverty, turmoil and the threats of terrorism and extremism. In order to have a durable peace in Africa, we must concentrate not only on the political process but also on support for development. The ultimate goal should be to empower States to ensure the well- being and security of their citizens on their own. We are convinced that the African countries are capable of finding on their own solutions to the many conflicts that are shaking up the continent and of implementing independent and sovereign domestic and foreign policy. Involving young people in the decisions about the fate of their own countries and providing them with opportunities to develop and realize their own potential for the benefit of African countries will be crucial. Young people under 25 years of age account for more than 60 per cent of the continent’s population, according to recent estimates. The international community must support Africa in addressing its challenges not just in word but also in deed. The African countries need support in the form of technology and expertise transfer for the development of their industry and agriculture. Developing countries have a moral duty to provide material, technical and expert assistance to African countries. Many of them owe their prosperity to the resources that were siphoned off the continent. At the same time, that support must be provided only with the consent of the receiving country and must not be subject to political conditions of human rights or other arbitrary factors. We are of the view that the political settlement of conflicts, the stabilization of the security situation and the transition to sustainable development lay the foundation for improving the human rights situation and building democratic institutions in a given country, not the other way around. The reports of the Secretary-General justifiably touch upon the issue of external upheavals and crises over the past five years, which also impacted the African countries. At the same time, the Secretary-General’s reports contain references to the conflict in Ukraine in the context of responsibility for crises that hinder sustainable development efforts across the continent. That position deserves clarification. In exercising the right to self-defence against the NATO threat and our ally obligations to the people’s republics of Donbass, including the protection of the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine, Russia never reneged on its duties in terms of food security and energy security to other countries. On the contrary, it was precisely the aggressive sanctions, undertaken by the European Union and the United States, exacerbated by the speculation by United States agribusiness corporations in food markets, that led to sharp spikes in world prices in 2022. The reports of the Secretary-General do not mention that. At the same time, sanctions are hurting African economies. The breakdown of supply chains and the difficulties with payments and insurance for the shipments of food and fertilizers from Russia to African countries lead to higher prices, which makes those items unaffordable for consumers in African countries, and in the It is time to correct the artificial imbalances of the past when most of Africa was still a colony. A step in the right direction in that regard was the recent inclusion of the African Union in the Group of 20 and the expansion of the BRICS group — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — to include African countries. It is high time that the question of the fair representation of African countries on the Security Council be addressed. That, of course, presents opportunities for greater consideration of the continent’s interests in discussions on key global issues in that forum. We must also duly assess the growing role of the African Union and subregional organizations in preventing and mediating disputes and conflicts. We note, in that regard, the importance of the African Union Master Road Map of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020, adopted several years ago, on the implementation of the African Union’s initiative to end armed conflicts in Africa, which was extended until 2030. A growing debt burden is a direct constraint on the development and sometimes the very sovereignty of countries. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Africa’s debt has increased by 183 per cent in 12 years and has reached $1.8 trillion — four times the rate of growth of the gross domestic product on the continent. Inclusive and sustained economic growth in Africa will assist in reducing the debt burden and achieving the necessary sovereignty and a deserved role in world affairs. That will be based on education, the training of national staff, industrialization, modern agriculture, reliable access to energy and, above all, high-technology investment. All of that must be created on African soil by Africans themselves. With the support of African partners in mind, Russia, during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, made a proposal to sign full-fledged technological and industrial partnerships, including providing a full life cycle of goods and services, with the training of national experts, the localization of production, engineering support, technical service and insurance. We participate in efforts undertaken to ease the debt burden of African countries. We are adopting mechanisms for direct debt cancellation and debt-for-development swaps. Currently, the total amount of debt forgiven is $23 billion, but that reflects only part of Russia’s contribution to African development. In addition to bilateral partnerships, it is important to ensure a favourable international environment for such development. Russia is committed to supporting any measures aimed at ensuring a sustainable level of external debt and sovereign debt restructuring. We call on creditors, including private creditors and multilateral development banks, to actively facilitate the reaching of a mutually acceptable solution in each specific case. We expect more effective and coordinated measures from the forthcoming 2025 International Conference on Finance for Development, which Russia will actively participate in. We also support the reform of the global tax system, the issuance of special drawing rights for the benefit of developing countries and exerting influence on the international credit rating agencies for the purpose of development. Russia continues to promote peace and security in Africa. One of the areas of our cooperation is the creation of effective armed forces and law enforcement forces to, inter alia, combat the threat of terrorism. Military personnel from dozens of African countries are currently being trained at colleges of the Russian Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Internal Affairs. My country is increasing the number of scholarships it provides for the free training of Africans in the areas of medicine, education, high- technology transport and other civilian areas. We will continue our cooperation on such important areas as healthcare and biological and epidemiological security. We provide assistance to African countries through the United Nations development system, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. We are paying special attention to the preparations under way towards the holding of the first Russian-African military conference from 9 to 10 November in Sochi. The conference, in which the heads of the relevant departments will participate, is aimed at strengthening Russia’s cooperation with its African friends in all areas of security, politics, the economy, science, technology and humanitarian matters. And those topics will form the agenda for the next Russia-Africa summit to be held in 2026. We will continue to make tangible contributions to the settlement of the current crises and to preventing the outbreak of new hotbeds of tension on the continent; combating terrorism and extremism and pandemics and hunger; and addressing environmental, food and information security issues. I would like to exewrcise the right of reply regarding the baseless accusations made by the representative of the Ukrainian delegation about Russia. My country was and remains a loyal friend to Africa. That is well-known and shown not only through our history of close partnership, but also through a number of ongoing projects. The Ukrainian authorities do not hide their involvement in terrorist attacks against national security forces in Mali, in Tin Zaouatène, at the end of July. A Ukrainian intelligence official directly confirmed his country’s complicity in that attack, which qualifies as direct support and abetting by Kyiv of terrorism in the Sahel and in Africa in general. Therefore, the three States of the Sahel  — Mali, the Niger and Burkina Faso — had every reason to declare Ukraine an aggressor country and a supporter of international terrorism and sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Ukraine is directly supporting extremist and separatists on the African continent. The groups operating in Mali were trained by Ukrainian special services. Such actions by the Ukrainian regime pose a serious threat to the stability in the region. We consider them unacceptable and deserving of broad condemnation. Those actions by Ukraine may come as a shock to some, but they are no surprise to us. The Kyiv regime has committed a long list of terrorist acts against Russia and its own citizens. The regime has acknowledged many of them, but nonetheless such statements have not been in any way addressed by the international community. We are facing cascading challenges from the ravages of the coronavirus disease, ongoing conflicts and climate change to the worrisome state of food security, health security and energy security. The systemic resilience in developing countries has been eroded, including in Africa. The international community’s steadfast support to Africa is therefore imperative. In that context, allow me to flag the following key aspects. First, the rapid rise of external debt, the high cost of capital and the associated economic vulnerability in Africa has severely limited its ability to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. There is an urgent need to help de-risk African economies, build resilience and deliver sustainable development. Apart from domestic resource mobilization, increasing predictable access to concessional finance and creating physical space through financing innovations are strategies aimed at delivering the economic transformation required. Financial responsibility, ensuring transparency and viability must be at the forefront when looking at financing options, including for infrastructure projects, to avoid imposing unsustainable debt burdens, thus adding to the existing vulnerabilities. It is equally important that they be accompanied by skill and technology transfer. Secondly, Africa has continued to face complex peace and security challenges, marked by an increase in armed conflict-related incidents and fatalities last year. We need to recognize the fact that terrorism, like armed conflicts, is expanding in Africa. If left unaddressed, terrorism may seriously jeopardize peace prospects in several parts of Africa that are already ravaged by armed conflicts. African security initiatives have proven their success in countering terrorism. These are Africa’s homegrown solutions, led by African countries, who have a better understanding of these issues. The international community should provide sustainable and adequate financial and logistical support to such regional security initiatives, and intensify and concentrate support for inclusive economic growth and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in conflict-affected and post-conflict African countries. Thirdly, regional integration is crucial to help Africa address the challenges, as emphasized in Agenda 2063. In this regard, it is encouraging to see the active role being played by regional and subregional organizations in Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, with adequate infrastructure and connectivity, can raise the potential of Africa with the free movement of goods, services, labour and capital, and increase intra-African trade. Fourthly, recent job geopolitical events have clearly shown that the Security Council is unable to deliver on its primary responsibilities to safeguard international peace and security when the world needs it the most. The continuing lack of representation of Africa in the permanent category of the Security Council’s membership is a historical injustice that needs to be corrected sooner rather than later. India has been consistently calling for greater representation of Africa through an increase in both permanent and non-permanent categories of this Council’s As Africa moves ahead towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, India has emerged as a close friend and strategic partner of Africa. Our concessional line of credit to Africa is valued at nearly $12 billion. We continue to be one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa, which have played an important role in bringing peace and stability to the African continent. During India’s Group of 20 presidency, the African Union was made a permanent member of the Group. India has shared its experiences and capabilities with partner countries on the continent, including in financial inclusion and last-mile delivery in the fields of education, capacity-building, scaling infrastructure, digital and energy connectivity, health, security, solar and renewable power generation, among others. It is gratifying to see that 41 African nations have joined the International Solar Alliance for the rapid development of clean energy technologies. To strengthen health security, we are providing hospitals, dialysis machines, life-saving medicines and affordable and effective generic medicines to African countries under the Arogya Maitri, or “friendship for health”, initiative. India has always been supportive of a development paradigm that is Africa-led and Africa-owned. African priorities will continue to guide our initiatives.

We welcome the convening of this debate on agenda item 65, which places Africa’s peace, security and development at the centre of our discussions. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Chad on behalf of the Group of African States. We wish to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on international support and progress in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) (A/79/295) and the report on the causes of conflicts in Africa (A/79/226). Africa is truly a blessed continent, with a rich demographic dividend and abundant natural resources. While it is indeed a land of peace and serenity, its development is closely tied to global stability and prosperity. With the right opportunities and strong support from the international community, Africa’s immense potential could not only experience a powerful launch but also significantly increase. However, the continent faces numerous and complex challenges, such as conflicts, political instability, the growing spread of terrorism, natural disasters, the impact of climate change and financial gaps. Moreover, one of the major challenges affecting Africa’s prosperity and stability is its underrepresentation in the international financial system and global governance owing to historical injustices. The inclusion of the African Union in the Group of 20 is a positive step towards rectifying this unbalance, but significant work remains to be done. In this context, the special needs of Africa should be prioritized. Algeria strongly supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation for necessary reforms from an African perspective to deliver lasting solutions. The Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) has addressed some of these issues. We take this opportunity to extend special thanks to Namibia and Germany, the co-facilitators of the Pact, for their tireless efforts. Addressing these challenges is crucial to creating a conducive environment for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, thereby securing peace, prosperity, progress and We must promote an open, inclusive and fair global transformation that integrates Africa into the world economy. Despite its rich energy resources, half Africa’s population struggles with access to energy, in particular electricity. Moreover, despite its vast agricultural potential, a large number of the world’s food-insecure population resides in Africa. It is urgent to tackle the structural and institutional barriers that prevent African countries from fully utilizing their resources and to curb the illicit financial flows from the continent. In a time marked by pandemics and health crises, it is particularly wasteful that Africa spends twice as much on debt servicing as it does on healthcare. The continent is grappling with persistent conflicts and crises that hinder its development progress. In this context, African countries need support to integrate conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction into their sustainable development efforts. Economic and political assistance to Africa should never come at the cost of its integrity and sovereignty. Partnerships with the continent must be founded on mutually beneficial cooperation and respect for Africa leadership in addressing African issues. Foreign interference in Africa’s affairs worsens the existing crises and undermines the continent’s unity and integrity. Africa should never be used as a battleground for settling scores and geopolitical rivalries. In conclusion, Algeria, as a member State of the African Union and a founding member of NEPAD, remains committed to fostering the conditions necessary for building the Africa we envision, an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent driven by its own citizens and serving as a dynamic force in the global arena. To implement this vision, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in his statement delivered at the 41st meeting of the Steering Committee of Heads of State and Government of NEPAD, announced that Algeria would see the creation of free zones with its neighbouring countries in the near future. In this context, it is worth recalling the large-scale continental projects initiated by Algeria, such as the Trans-Sahara Highway connecting six African countries, the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone Project to develop the regional digital economy and the trans-Saharan gas pipeline, which transports gas from Nigeria to Europe via Algeria.

Zimbabwe welcomes this critical discussion on agenda item 65, concerning the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. As we take stock of progress in sustainable development, it is essential to address the fundamental challenges entering Africa’s economic transformation and our ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063. At the heart of these challenges is the unsustainable debt burden that continues to limit Africa’s capacity to invest in its future. As the Secretary-General’s report (A/79/295) highlights, the debt dynamics shaped by the historically extractive nature of Africa’s economies have created an overreliance on borrowing that has not meaningfully driven economic transformation. Instead, it has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities, constraining our ability to achieve the very goals that we have set What Africa seeks is not charity, but access to long-term financing at competitive and fair interest rates. Equally important is the need to address the biased risk assessments from credit rating agencies that unfairly inflate the cost of borrowing for African nations. By securing more equitable financing terms and rectifying these unjust risk levels, Africa can strengthen its economic resilience, reduce dependency on unsustainable external borrowing and unlock its full potential for growth and development. What is needed is to ensure that borrowing is directed towards areas that foster real growth and transformation. While it is recognized that predictable and affordable access to financing is crucial, the current global financial system does not adequately cater to Africa’s needs. Zimbabwe therefore calls for concrete reforms that create a more inclusive and transparent financing framework that lowers borrowing costs for African countries and provides access to concessional finance. The forthcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in June 2025, provides a chance to get the required reforms in the international financial architecture that prioritize the urgency of investing in the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The Conference must also address the critical area of illicit financial flows and tax evasion. Sustainable development and durable peace in Africa are deeply interconnected. Conflict continues to undermine development, especially in fragile States, creating opportunities for extremist groups. The rule of law must be strengthened across the continent to ensure justice, protect human rights and create an environment conducive to growth. Zimbabwe supports the Secretary-General’s new vision for the rule of law and emphasizes the need for these governance and justice reforms to be accompanied by economic, especially financial, solutions. Only by addressing both economic and governance challenges can we create a peaceful and prosperous Africa. Zimbabwe remains committed to working with our subregional body, the Southern African Development Community — which we are currently chairing this year — the African Union and the international community to find lasting solutions to Africa’s debt crisis and ensure sustainable development and peace.

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to recall Cameroon’s alignment with the statement delivered this morning by the representative of Chad on behalf of the Group of African States. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate on the development of Africa at a time which is sufficiently early in the principal part of our work. That was not something that could be taken for granted, for the past several years, when this question was pushed to the periphery of the session and towards its end in June, July or even August. The major drawback of this was that this marginalized this question in the work cycle of the United Nations, which starts with the adoption of mandates, which takes place in September to December, and then moves on to programming and planning, which takes place starting in January, followed by the budget, which is presented to the Committee for Programme and Coordination and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions starting in May for review before it is adopted by the General Assembly in September. Your predecessor, Ambassador Dennis Francis, re-established this cycle and this good practice. We very much welcome that, and we hope that the draft resolution on this matter will be adopted between now and December. We cannot fail to mention Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which are envisioning the Africa we want, that is to say united, peaceful, well-governed by its own citizens, developed, with a strong cultural and religious identity  — in short, a major stakeholder in international relations by 2063. Our continent has also been working hard to save and sign the Pact for the Future (resolution 79/1) and its two important annexes on digital matters and future generations. Despite all these efforts, the expected results have not materialized. Africa is still lagging behind, as attested by a number of reports published these days through various mechanisms, including the reports under consideration today under this agenda item. In crucial areas such as peace and security, Africa has not obtained the proper representation which it is calling for on the Security Council, at a time when the majority of its activities are dedicated to Africa itself. In terms of the economy, is it not commonly said that the raison d’être of an organization such as the United Nations Development Programme is Africa? However, poverty indices, including for extreme poverty, speak volumes when it comes to the continent. To date and in the future, Africa will be the last to attain the Sustainable Development Goals. Given all that I just said, we might conclude that Africa is sick and that there have been many bodies which have acted as hospitals, foremost among which are the Security Council, the Bretton Woods institutions and the new Peacebuilding Commission. Some of these are adapting or experiencing ongoing but insufficient reforms. There will also have been many doctors and others proffering care, but few medications or protocols which proved appropriate in the administering of that care. Because of that, the countries of Africa have been at the forefront of the negotiations on the Pact for the Future and its two annexes to show that these bodies and their modus operandi need to be revisited to bring about meaningful reforms to address the obstacles holding them back from working both for and with Africa, so that it can achieve the goals it has set for itself in Agenda 2063. All of the documents submitted under this item of our agenda by the Secretary- General through the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa are in need of being revisited, reinforced and refocused on the goal of Africa’s sustainable development through a graduated matrix which allows us to measure and assess performance and contributions from United Nations agencies and other partners working to bring about Africa’s development. Looking to the future and the actions envisaged by the Pact for the Future, the focus should be placed especially on energy; research; science; technology; We are counting on you, Mr. President, to create, over the course of your mandate, a true “Africa moment”, in which all bilateral and multilateral Powers can join together in a coalition alongside those from our continent, who are resolute in their desire to bring about action rather than simply declarations, to bring about peace, sustainable development and human dignity, to see a rebirth of Africa by 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals and to set it on course for the 2063 deadline of our common agenda, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

I am very pleased, Mr. President, to be able to congratulate you and your country. We congratulate your friendly country on acceding to this high position, and we do hope that your efforts will contribute to fulfilling our hopes and the aspirations of our people and the peoples of developing countries and least developed countries, to serving them and to improving their future lives and livelihoods. And of course, Mr. President, I would like to thank you for holding this important meeting, as we follow, together, the manner in which the African continent is developing. We have all read the reports published by His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations. For the period in question, they describe the difficulties and impediments that the African countries encounter continuously and the relationship between the overall security situation and the cross-border development situation. Through our participation in this discussion today, we commend the efforts made by the African Union, the launching of the second plan of action for the upcoming 10 years, 2024‒2033, so as to implement the African Agenda 2063 development agenda, including the factors related to regional peace and security, human development, infrastructure development and everything that has to do with humanitarian aid and human rights work. In this inclusive Organization, we cannot look at the development situation on the African continent and examine why it is slow without studying, even in a simplified way, the overall international structure that brings us together. No party, regardless of its size, can deal with domestic events and use it as a justification to go above the law and to threaten the development of all. Nothing justifies violating international law and trampling underfoot United Nations resolutions or having brutal and arrogant ideas that do not benefit humankind. What can an African mother say to her son when he’s asking for water that she cannot give him? Will he ever forget that — if he does not die? Withholding food, water and medication is a sin. Enough confrontation. Enough negligence. Enough conflict, misery and double standards in the way we tackle the issues of development between continents and peoples. In order to truly implement development on the African continent, we must first work towards stability and security and towards a transfer of technology, expertise and know-how, so as to support African countries, help them economically and enable them to adapt to climate change and reduce its direct and indirect impact. This is all the more so since many African countries have economies based on factors that are very vulnerable to climate change, such as, for example, agriculture. That is why Kuwaiti leadership recognizes the importance of working in service to people and responding to their development interests. We therefore created a Kuwaiti development fund in the 1960s, so as to help to fund hospitals, schools and infrastructure projects.

Nigeria aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Chad on behalf of the Group of African States and wishes to add the following remarks in our national capacity. We express our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General and the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa for the insightful report on the causes of conflict and sustainable development in Africa. We welcome the continued collaboration to address the urgent challenges our continent faces. Nigeria’s public debt represents both a crucial tool for financing development and a source of fiscal strain. The rising cost of debt service, in particular over the first half of this year, highlighted growing financial pressures. Domestic and external borrowing have contributed significantly to these challenges and without effective management. These fiscal vulnerabilities risk undermining our broader development goals. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, the fiscal stress on African economies is compounded by external shocks, including inflation, rising interest rates and food insecurity. These factors increase the burden on our countries, demanding urgent debt reform. We reiterate the call for reform of the international financial architecture, including a call for an international debt mechanism under the United Nations framework to ensure debts to sustainability and ensure the African countries, including ours, have the fiscal space to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. In that context, we also stress the need for greater transparency and accountability from credit rating agencies, whose assessment significantly impacts access to capital markets for developing countries, and we call for the issuance and reallocation of special drawing rights to provide much-needed liquidity to vulnerable economies. In addressing these challenges, Nigeria also stresses the importance of comprehensive tax reforms to strengthen domestic resource mobilization. As part of our debt management strategy, enhancing domestic resource mobilization through an equitable and efficient tax system is of utmost importance. Nigeria continues to advocate for a United Nations framework convention on international tax cooperation to ensure a fair global tax system that curtails illicit financial flows and promotes transparency and cross-border tax transactions, among others. Moreover, as a critical aspect of economic sustainability, Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms seek to broaden the tax base, improve compliance and promote progressive taxation that aligns with our development goals. These reforms, along with greater access to concessional financing, can help reduce dependency on external borrowing and address structural debt vulnerabilities. We encourage all Member States to support these reforms as key enablers of domestic resource mobilization. Building strong domestic institutions alongside peace and security is essential for sustainable development. While Nigeria has made progress in combating terrorism, particularly in the Lake Chad basin, ongoing challenges require both regional and global cooperation. The Renewed Hope Initiative of President Tinubu reflects our commitment to rebuilding conflict-affected communities, especially in the north- east, with a focus on justice and governance. The Secretary-General’s report underscores how deficiencies in access to justice erode social cohesion and fuel conflict. Nigeria’s justice system is strained owing to its population needs. Globally, as highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, only $2.9 billion is allocated to The report also highlights the link between environmental degradation and conflict, particularly in regions like the Lake Chad basin. Desertification exacerbates insecurity. Our national initiatives align with the need to address these environmental pressures to ensure stability. In conclusion, peace and security remain central to development. While our national initiatives guide our socioeconomic recovery, security threats, compounded by desertification, demand continued international collaboration. In this regard, Nigeria reiterates the call for urgent reform of the Security Council. Africa deserves no less than two permanent seats, with all the privileges, including the right of veto. Correcting this historical injustice will ensure Africa’s fair representation and strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the Council in addressing global security challenges. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria and Africa by 2030.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 65 and its sub-items (a) and (b).