Statement by H.E. Samba Sane | Chair of the African Group at the Joint Debate on Item 124:Report of the Secretary-General (A/80/318) | UNGA80, 17th Plenary Session

  Delivered by H.E. Semba Sane

Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations

6th October 2025

Madame President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

1.  I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group.

2.    The African Group commends the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa.

3.    The report demonstrates that, despite multiple global and regional crises, the Decade has succeeded in mobilizing political commitment and concrete action, placing industrialization at the heart of Africa’s development agenda. It has generated important results in agribusiness, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, digitalization and special economic zones, while strengthening partnerships and promoting regional value chains.

4.    The African Group also acknowledges the central role played by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in coordinating the implementation of the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa. UNIDO’s leadership, in partnership with the African Union, regional organizations, development banks and the private sector, has been instrumental in advancing industrial projects across the continent and in ensuring that the Decade remained a priority on the international agenda.

5.     At the same time, the findings also remind us of the persistent structural challenges that continue to constrain Africa’s industrial transformation.

6.    As underlined in the Secretary-General’s report (A/80/271), “manufacturing contributed 10.3 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024… over 60 per cent of output remains concentrated in low-value sectors”.

7.    The modest share of manufacturing in Africa’s GDP, the limited integration between extractive industries and industrial processing, and the lack of adequate finance and technology for small and medium-sized enterprises underscore the scale of the task ahead.

Madame President,

8.    As this Third Decade comes to a close, the African Union has already taken the decision to request the proclamation of a Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa.

9.    This step reflects our collective determination to build on the lessons of IDDA III, to accelerate the structural transformation of Africa’s economies, and to align our efforts with the goals of Agenda 2063, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Pact for the Future.

10.  In this regard, we note with appreciation that, according to the Secretary-General’s report, and I quote:“since its launch in 2016, the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa has mobilized high-level political commitment, supported over 730 projects, strengthened regional coordination and delivered tangible impact in priority areas, such as agribusiness, clean energy, pharmaceuticals and digital innovation”, end of quote. 

11.  These are important achievements that must be consolidated under a Fourth Decade.

12.    The African Group therefore underlines the importance of building on the achievements of the Third Decade in order to strengthen efforts in key areas such as integrated infrastructure, renewable energy and green manufacturing, skills and empowerment for youth and women, digital transformation, and deeper regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

13.    With vision, political will and international solidarity, the forthcoming Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa can unlock the continent’s full industrial potential and contribute decisively to a more equitable, balanced and inclusive multilateral system.

Thank you.