Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Ms Amina Mohammed 
Wallace Ruzvidzo in KAMPALA, Uganda
AFRICA must turn its words into action as it currently stands at a pivotal moment of immense opportunities, United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed has said.
The Deputy Secretary General said this at the 11th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development held here on Wednesday.
In her remarks, she said with only five years remaining to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it was time that Africa’s voice shapes the achievement of global milestones.
“Now we must turn words into action…across these efforts, Africa’s leadership and innovation continue to inspire.
“From local solutions to global negotiations, African countries are driving forward a bold vision for inclusive, sustainable development.
“Africa stands at a pivotal moment, not only of challenges but of immense opportunity. With just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, and the second decade of Agenda 2063 now underway, we must confront the hard truths and match them with bold and courageous solutions,” she said.
Ms Mohammed said despite various global adversities, Africa had accounted for nine of the world’s fastest-growing economies last year, signifying its immense potential.
“Africa is not standing still. We are staggering up. Despite global headwinds, our continent accounted for nine of the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2024.
“Africa’s voice must shape every one of these global milestones,” she said.
Evidence of this, said the UN Deputy Secretary General, was progress made by African countries in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
On its part, Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the Southern Africa region that has managed to reach the 95-95-95 targets, as 98 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 97 percent are on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), while 96 percent have achieved viral suppression.
“Progress against HIV and AIDS is encouraging, with nearly two dozen countries recording significant declines in new infections,” she said.
Ms Mohammed said while African countries continued to make tremendous progress, the burden of debt was suffocating some their economies.
In the case of Zimbabwe, the country launched the High-level Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Platform, with President Mnangagwa stressing the importance of cushioning the general citizenry as the debt obligations are serviced.
“In 2023, 25 African countries spent more on external debt servicing than on health and education combined. This is unacceptable. Over 60 percent of countries are now in or at higher risk of debt distress.
“In too many countries, more than half of government revenue goes to debt repayments, undermining vital investments in people, resources, jobs and growth,” Ms Mohammed said.
The Deputy Secretary General said although the statistics were worrying “these figures do not define Africa”.
COMMENTS
Get real UN. There are so many races. tribes. chiefs, religions , traditional beliefs social influences and Gods on the continent. that a UN styled “mutual consensus” of all parties is NEVER going to happen.Perhaps Putin ( not doing so well at present !) or China could ( and would possibly like ) to pummel Africa into totalitarian submission. But they are a bit busy at the moment.
Forget UN – while the “power of veto” ( Russia, China, US and a couple of others) exists – they wii never really effect global harmony.