The UN will continue to support the ongoing transformation of Africa – IDN-InDepthNews



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By Amina Mohammed

Below are detailed excerpts from the remarks of the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, at the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union in Nouakchott, Mauritania, July 1, 2018 – The Editor

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (IDN-INPS) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres attaches great importance to our long-standing but recently found strategic partnership with the African Union. Sustainable development is at the center of this work. The Africa Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development share a common vision and together they form the basis of the African Union-United Nations partnership framework for development. guide the action plan to be launched in Addis Ababa. Peace and stability are also our common goals. The African Union-United Nations Joint Framework for Strengthened Partnership in Peace and Security is our road map for resolving crises, silencing arms, preventing the eruption of armed conflict and, above all, preventing human suffering . Today, we are working together with some success across the continent. With Africa firmly in the lead, we must do more to strengthen this partnership.

Too often, the world sees Africa only through a prism of problems, thus shaping the bad narrative. I want the world to see what I see and what I know, as the daughter of this soil. I see continued progress and tremendous momentum across Africa despite the enormous challenges. The spirit of business is prosperous. Access to all levels of education has increased. Infant and maternal mortality decreased. More women serve in decision-making roles. Economic growth in several countries is higher than in other parts of the world. The Continental Free Trade Area is a vital step that will free trade and innovation for the benefit of millions of people.

I see African leaders taking the lead in resolving African crises and building stronger architecture within the African Union to support these efforts. I see the potential of the Great Green Wall of the African Union that can protect millions of people from the effects of climate change and desertification – while integrating renewable energy and investments in many chains of value that place Africa at the forefront of climate action. I see one of the most trusted contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Of the more than 90,000 soldiers and police present in United Nations missions, nearly half come from Africa

. I see a generous humanitarian actor. Africa hosts more than a quarter of the world's 65 million refugees and displaced people, reflecting a solidarity often absent elsewhere in the world. I see a continent where women have paved the way not only to galvanize economic growth, but also to defuse societal tensions and forge peace. And I see a determination to approach governance, build responsible institutions at the service of the African people.

The African Year Anti-Corruption is a welcome initiative to crack down on corruption, fraud, tax evasion, illegal mining and other illicit acts. drain billions of dollars from Africa every year – and undermine confidence in global governance, unfortunately affecting investments that undermine the growth of African economies.

The transformation of Africa is clearly underway and the United Nations will continue to strengthen and support it. acts. Through the Joint African Union-United Nations Framework for Implementation of the 2030 and 2063 agendas, we will ensure that your priorities are ours. By aligning policy, programming and accountability, we can amplify the impact at the national and regional levels.

We work together to advance democratic governance, women's empowerment, job creation for youth, human rights for all, and efforts to fight terrorism. extremism

We will continue to support Africa's electoral processes and the road map for demographic dividends, as well as efforts to combat inequalities, exclusion and marginalization. In this we have to place our young people, especially our girls, in the center. We are strengthening our partnership to address global health pandemics, including our joint efforts to combat the recent Ebola outbreak on the continent.

We strengthen support for African peace efforts, including AMISOM (Mission of the African Union in Somalia). -Sahel Joint Force and Multinational Joint Force against Boko Haram, as well as capacity building to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism.

Here in Mauritania this week, we announce a recalibrated strategy for the Sahel and a new effort to mobilize resources. The newly finalized United Nations Sahel Support Plan is repositioned to channel resources towards interventions and investments that address the needs, priorities and plans of Sahelian populations and countries in the context of complex challenges.

Leaders of the African Union and the United Nations, including myself, will undertake a joint mission to Chad, Niger and South Sudan to promote peace and development through the United Nations. equality, empowerment and the well-being of young people.

While Africa is driving its own future, the international community must badume its responsibility to support your efforts with investments that deliver results backed by transparency and accountability. The United Nations will stand in solidarity with you to serve the African people and usher in a future of security, opportunity and dignity for all. [IDN-InDepthNews – 07 July 2018]

Photo: United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. UN Photo / Mark Garten

IDN is the flagship agency of the International Press Syndicate.

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