The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2023 is in full swing, gathering leaders from around the world to address critical global challenges and chart a course towards a better future.
This year’s theme, & Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.
For African heads of state and governments, this year’s assembly presents an opportunity to bring the world’s attention Africa’s pressing crisis the continent is facing today. 43 Million people need Humanitarian across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, and 146 across the continent facing acute food insecurity. Rising food and energy crisis, spiraling inflations, high levels of public debts, and slow recovery of the resurgent’s of military coups in central and west Africa.
Here is our take on why UNGA 2023 is of consequence to Africa and what should be at front and center for African leaders at the assembly;
- Representation of Developing Countries at the IMF and UN Security Council:
There is a resounding call for increased representation of developing countries, including those from Africa, at international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the UN Security Council. African leaders should press for reforms that ensure a more equitable distribution of power and decision-making authority within these multilateral institutions.The African Union’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is a long- standing aspiration. These sentiments emphasize the continent’s growing significance in global
affairs and its role in promoting peace and security, particularly in conflict-prone regions. At this
year’s General Assembly must continue to push for concrete steps towards realizing these
decisions. - Sustainable Debt Payment and Financial Stability:
African countries, including Zambia and Ghana continue grabbling with external debt. The IMF acknowledges that Zambia’s external debt restructuring could save it 7.6 million dollars by 2026. Africa leaders in New York must continue to up the ante on sustainable debt repayment terms, debt cancellation, restructuring, and cancellation for the African countries that need it. Addressing debt sustainability is vital to freeing up resources for essential public services, building climate resilience, financing development projects, and quickening the recovery of economies post COVID pandemic. - Restoring Democracy, Peace and Security in Central and West Africa:
Recent coup d’états in Central and West Africa and the resurgence of internal conflict both Sudan and South Sudan are a shocking reversal to democracy, a threat to peace and security, and stability in already fragile countries and regions. African leaders must prioritize discussions on restoring and upholding democratic governance in Niger, Bukina Faso, Chad, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan for African peoples, the success of the UN security council at UNGA 2023 will be measured by the extent to which the agenda of these countries is advanced. - Climate Finance and Adaptation commitments:
The UNGA 2023 comes hot on the heels of generous pledges to tackle climate resilience and clean energy investments in Africa during Africa Climate Summit. The UNFCCC (COP28) where the global stock taking on the Paris climate change Agreement will take place is just months away. As such the General Assembly is an
opportune moment for African leaders to rally more global support for the Nairobi Declaration 2023 goals for accelerated climate action and financing mechanisms. The Declaration will be the basis for Africa’s common position in COP 28 and beyond.Climate change disproportionately affects African nations, and securing adequate climate finance is essential for mitigating its impact. African leaders should emphasize the need for climate financing mechanisms that are fair, transparent, and sufficient to support adaptation and mitigation efforts on the continent.
We believe that by spot- lighting the above priorities at the UNGA 2023, African leaders will maximize
their presents at the global assembly to ensure that the continent’s pressing needs are brought to global
attention.
