Since it was first introduced, the resolution sought to give prominence to the social dimensions of Africa’s blue print for development. While in the General Assembly, the NEPAD resolution focused on broader economic development concepts, this resolution pays attention to the social policies needed for the empowerment of Africa’s vulnerable populations.

The G77 and China actively advocates for the fulfilment of the commitments made in the Copenhagen Program of Action at the World Summit for Social Development.

It has followed the implementation of key decisions of the African Union Summits in relation to youth, women, health, child mortality, infrastructure development and fulfilment of international commitments towards Africa, among others.

On youth, the G77 and China supported the call by African Governments for enhanced investments in Africa’s youth in order to harness demographic dividend. Commendable progress has been made since the adoption of the theme in 2017.

In this regard, the resolution welcomes the declaration by the African Union of the period from 2018 to 2027 as the African Decade for Technical, Professional and Entrepreneurial Training and Youth Employment with a focus on creation of decent job for youth and women, aimed at achieving more inclusive growth and sustainable poverty eradication.

On the empowerment of women, the resolution stresses that greater efforts should be made to promote and implement sustainable agriculture, increase the access of smallholder farmers, in particular women, to necessary agricultural resources, including productive assets, and improve access to infrastructure, information and market.

The resolution further recognizes the launch of the AU’s Strategy for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment which serves as a guide to achieving commitments to the critical agenda for peace, security and development in Africa.

Mr Chair,

Following the signing of the MOU between the UN Secretary-General and the Chair of the African Union Commission in January 2018, this draft emphasises the importance of promoting the integrated and coordinated implementation, monitoring and reporting of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through joint activities and programmes to the two Agendas under this new framework.

Similarly, the resolution takes note of the decision of the African Union Assembly in Nouakchott in July 2018 to transform the Planning and Coordinating Agency of the New Partnership into the African Union Development Agency, which will be the implementing mechanism for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development strategy.

These developments will require new approach by the G77 and China, on both the structure and substance of the resolution. In this regard, I wish to thank delegations who support the Group as we continue to give prominence to Africa’s development and advocate for better synergies between UN development system in providing support to African Governments.

Furthermore, we are grateful to all delegations for their active and constructive engagement during the negotiations. We will continue to count on your support as we internalize developments at the level of Addis Ababa and New York. We encourage delegation to show their political support by co-sponsoring this resolution.

I thank you.