African leaders at UN call for more development

African heads of state and government on Wednesday addressed the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), expressing a common wish that their countries proceed faster and safer along the paths of sound development while expecting the world body to spare no effort to help them overcome current obstacles and better prepare for the future.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo said, "Africa is not a continent of despair. She is full of great possibilities. She is required, however, to chart a new course of development."

"The people of Africa are not asking for handouts – they are demanding opportunities in a new global architecture so they can have access to education, healthcare and jobs, to be able to build better lives for themselves, their families and their descendants," Akufo-Addo said.

"African nations must take ownership of their security, and the African Union needs to strengthen itself to be able to respond swiftly to threats," Akufo-Addo added.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai said at the debate that "our vulnerabilities are evident, and we need to use our collective knowledge to find solutions that will preserve the planet for future generations."

"The threat of conflicts to our shared world underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to foster regional and global stability and peace," Boakai noted, adding that the member countries must support all the UN's efforts to address peace and security issues worldwide. 

The General Debate has been themed "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations." 

President of Namibia Nangolo Mbumba said this theme "aligns perfectly with our shared aspirations for effective international cooperation."

Mbumba added that Namibia is working to develop a sustainable energy mix to support its ambitious industrialization agenda and to contribute to the world's efforts to combat climate change.

Jose Maria Pereira Neves, president of Cabo Verde, an ocean nation heavily dependent on marine resources, said it is important to bring together key stakeholders in order to boost collaborative solutions for the oceans, help develop research capacities to study the impact of climate change and ocean acidification, and promote knowledge sharing and technology transfer to improve ocean monitoring and observation systems.

The international community cannot hope to advance sustainable development when some race ahead while others are left to struggle. In other words, no one should be left behind, said Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan. "Words are nothing without deeds and we have to act urgently, in unity, to make the necessary transition to a more sustainable future."

"Africa is one of the priorities of the UN. We must support Africa," Philemon Yang, president of the 79th Session of the UNGA, told the opening of the General Debate on Tuesday.

The African Union's Agenda 2063 presents a bold and transformative vision for the continent. Africa currently has the youngest population in the world. And by 2063, one in four people will be African. The generation of resources for the wellbeing of these people has been much slower than the population growth.

"We must not let Africa's potential to go unrealized. In fact, to truly unlock Africa's vast potential, we must actively cultivate global partnerships that align with the continent's aspirations and drive its success. In this endeavor, I look forward to working with all Member States of the United Nations this year on keeping Africa at the heart of our agenda," he noted.

(With input from Xinhua)