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Africa's development and the Week Ahead - PGA Spokesperson's Briefing
Let's start with the General Assembly, which is today focusing on the African continent's development.In his opening remarks, President Csaba Kőrösi today called for quote "unshakable solidarity with Africa", "solidarity based on the understanding that the prosperity of our world, and the security on our globe can never be complete without sustainability in Africa."In his opening remarks, he makes three key points.The first is on financing.Between spending inefficiencies and illicit financial flows, some $158 billion US dollars are drained from the continent every year.So this has implications for taxation, as well as for official development assistance and climate finance commitments to bridge that gap.The second item is addressing gaps in implementation, so for example alleviating debt burdens and promoting industrialization and spurring Africa's share in global trade.And the third point is energy, in specific inadequate access to electricity.All of this requires substantial investments in people, infrastructure, and coping mechanisms, the President said.The President made these remarks at the first ever interactive multi-stakeholder dialogue on the review of the implementation of commitments made towards Africa's development.The basis for the discussion is the biennial report of the Secretary-General on the review of the implementation of commitments made towards Africa's development.nbsp;Among his bilaterals today, the President is meeting with the Director of OECD Development Centre, Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir.Let's look at the Week Ahead …On Monday, 24 July, at 10AM… President Kőrösi will have remarks to the plenary session on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.Member States will debate the Report of the Peacebuilding Commission, as well as the Report of the Secretary-General on the Peacebuilding Fund.That is followed by expected action on two resolutions.The first would create a new International Day.If approved, 11 August would be observed as World Steelpan Day.A steelpan is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago.The second draft proclaims 29 October as the International Day of Care and Support.Also on Monday, Member States will hold informal consultations on the political declaration for the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.On Monday afternoon, President Kőrösi is scheduled to visit the Chabad Headquarters in Brooklyn, and meet with a group of Chabad leaders.This is part of the President's efforts to meet with all individuals and groups who can support the mission of the United Nations.On Tuesday, 25 July, at 10AM ET…Member States will debate the report of the United Nations Youth Office.Member States will then discuss the impact of rapid technological change on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and its targets.Action is expected on a draft resolution.On Wednesday, 26 July…Member States will hold information consultations on the political development for the high-level meeting on universal health coverage.Those information consultations are also scheduled for Thursday and Friday.Also on Wednesday, President Kőrösi will be meeting with senior officials from Pace University, here in New York.Overall, during the second half of the coming week, the President will be focusing on the SDG Summit, and making sure that all plans are moving forward for this September.Despite a new president being in place during UNGA, you might not know, that a lot of the heavy lifting for preparing the UNGA weeks is done by the previous administration.
