Second Committee, 2nd plenary meeting – General Assembly, 79th session

Ambassador Harold Agyeman

Ambassador Harold Agyeman
Ghana’s Representative to the United Nations
United Nations, New York
October 07 2024

 

GENERAL DEBATE OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE UNDER THE THEME: FOSTERING RESILIENCE AND GROWTH IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

 

Mr. Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ghana aligns herself with the statements delivered by the representative of Uganda on behalf of the G77 and China and the representative of Chad for the African Group.

 

We speak at this moment in our national capacity and I take this opportunity to congratulate you, my dear friend, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, on your election as the Chair of the Second Committee for the 79th Session. Ghana conveys to you and the other members of the Bureau our warmest felicitation and full cooperation. We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to Ambassador Amorin of Uruguay and other members of the Bureau of the 78th session for their leadership.

 

Mr. Chair,
During the recent Summit of the Future, our leaders, in recognition of the profound danger of our world today and the great risks our failures and inactions pose for the future, agreed on a Pact that holds forth the hope for reasonable global stability and shared prosperity if we commit to work together.

In the face of the unprecedented crises that we are witnessing in an increasingly uncertain world, our commitment to fostering resilience, growth and sustainable development must be unconditional and should reflect the best traditions of global solidarity, equity and fairness.

 

Mr. Chair,

The World Economic Situation Report for 2024 highlights a stark contrast between developed and developing countries in their economic recovery and resilience to global shocks.

In contrast to developed nations that have demonstrated significant resilience and managed to navigate recent global shocks, developing countries, particularly those in Africa, continue to face formidable challenges. Many are grappling with heightened vulnerabilities due to huge debt burdens and limited access to concessional funding which has severely hampered their capacity to invest in sustainable development and the building of resilience against future shocks.

 

For Ghana, we believe that fostering resilience and growth should be more than a slogan. Within the context of international development and cooperation, resilience for developing countries, particularly those in Africa, must reflect in practical strategies that enhance capacity to invest in sustainable development, to grow economies out of poverty, and to respond to the basic needs of populations.

 

Chair
Permit me to share four priorities that must guide our efforts to foster resilience in an uncertain world.

First, building resilience requires substantial capital to unlock the investments necessary for infrastructure and sustainable development, especially in African countries where scaled up concessional financing is also needed to support the efforts of governments and businesses as they invest in education, technology, and infrastructure to address immediate needs and prepare for future uncertainties. We however know that capital alone would not be enough and stress the need for effective debt relief, debt treatment frameworks and concessional capital financing on terms that are fair and that reflect the unique challenges faced by developing countries, in particular, African countries.

 

Second, the impact of climate change requires that we must also build climate resilience through effective adaptation and resilience measures. There is no other option to this. To be clear, resilience cannot be developed without adequate financing. We must not let it be made to lie that the profound injustice of the nations that have contributed the least to global emissions should continue to bear the brunt of its most severe impacts.

 

Third, we must build the resilience of the growing youthful populations and women in Africa and many parts of the developing world, who constitute a veritable bulwark of resilience for any society. The potential of Africa’s demographic and gender dividend can only be realised through substantial investment in education, skills development, expansion in access to finance, promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship and creation of economic opportunities for the youth and women. By prioritising these investments, we are not only supporting individuals, but also nurturing a vibrant and sustainable society where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, contribute positively and lead towards a prosperous future for all. In reflection of Ghana’s commitment to youth empowerment, we will be hosting from 14th to 18th October the African Union’s Africa Skills week to connect education and skills development with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

 

Fourth, as we develop resilience it would be important that the external routes for the transmission of shocks to developing countries should be addressed. The international financial system must be calibrated to deliver benefits for everyone and not just a few and powerful countries. As we have often stated the international financial system should not be prejudicial to the countries of Africa and its structures must be strengthened with representation and participation principles that can generate decisions that stand the best chance of responding to the emerging global challenges that are driving instability in several parts of the world.

 

Mr. Chair,
Before concluding and, with much regret, today marks one year of conflict in the Middle East, flowing from the 7th October 2023 Hamas incident in Southern Israel. We condemned Hamas horrific attack and have condemned the intensity, scale and reach of the Israeli response. We, recognise, all of us, the ongoing tragedy of the conflict and the profound human impact of the conflict in Gaza which has now spread to Lebanon. An urgent and sustainable solution is required in recognition of our common humanity and our shared future of co-existence, mutual respect, dignity, security and prosperity. Enough is enough and this war must stop!!!

 

 

I thank you.