STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE AFRICAN GROUP
THE ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE SG ON THE PROMOTION OF DURABLE PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
NEW YORK, 10 SEPTEMBER 2021
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Mr. President,
I have the honor to deliver this Statement on Behalf of the African Group. I align these Remarks with the Statement made by the Permanent Representative of Guinea on behalf of the G77 and China.
- The African Group values and welcomes the consensual adoption of the General Assembly Resolution on the implementation of the recommendation contained in the Report of the Secretary General on the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa.
- The importance of this resolution cannot be over-emphasized; it is indeed a milestone for highlighting the progress made by African countries in facing emerging challenges to the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa as well as the progress made in this area.
- The African Group welcomes and commends the advice submitted, for the first time, by the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission to the General Assembly prior to its consideration of this agenda item. This advice has contributed to enhancing the peacebuilding perspective in this resolution, with a view to build on the longstanding and accumulative experience of the PBC in support of the African peacebuilding needs and priorities.
Mr. President,
- The African Group emphasizes that addressing the root causes of conflict and insecurity is directly linked with the need for adequate reforms, national policies and international solidarity. We therefore seize this occasion to call on the international community and development partners to continue supporting African countries in their efforts to develop their human and institutional capacities, particularly in countries emerging from conflict.
- This assistance should focus on means of implementation, particularly financial resources, transfer of technology and capacity building. Considering that aid remains an important source of financing for development in many developing countries, including those in Africa, we encourage development partners to fulfil their commitments in the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, including ODA commitments.
- The COVID-19 pandemic era requires even further efforts in terms of policy and action. The resolution emphasized that the (COVID-19) pandemic, has shown overwhelming effects in general, including on health emergency and crisis management in conflict-affected areas, as health systems in those areas were already facing many challenges, and still ill-equipped to deal with the threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks. We also reiterate our strong condemnation of the violent attacks and threats directed against medical personnel and facilities, which have long-term consequences for the civilian population and the health-care systems of the countries concerned, as well as for the neighboring regions, and have a negative impact on sustainable development.
- We would like also to underline that the work of the UN in the area of prevention, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding requires constant rethinking and should be based on national ownership and in full harmony with African needs and priorities.
- The African Group also reiterates that international cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit is of great significance to all developing countries, including African countries. Bearing this in mind, we will step up efforts to cooperate with all our development partners in implementing the 2030 Agenda and supporting Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
Mr. President,
- Similarly to the NEPAD Resolution, the African Group, and with the valuable support of the Group of 77 and China, has made tremendous efforts this year, to streamline the text of the resolution and to make it concise, fit for purpose and delivering better on the key messages. It was indeed a successful endeavor.
- The African Group welcomes the remarkable collective effort to converge the views and concerns of all parties and the flexibility shown in formulating consensual language throughout the text of the resolution and we want to thank the facilitator for his tireless work in moving the processes towards the consensus. A sincere word of thanks and appreciations to the coordinators of the resolution who have brilliantly negotiated on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We would like to also thank all Delegations for their constructive engagement and valuable inputs into this exercise.
- Finally, Mr. President, We would like to seize this occasion to thank the Office of the Special Adviser of Africa for their support throughout the process of the preparation and the negotiation.
- Thank you for your attention.
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