Opportunity and Urgency for Africa - UN Secretary-General's Message to the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

This Forum arrives at a moment of opportunity and urgency for Africa.

Opportunity — in the African Continental Free Trade Area, rapidly expanding renewable energy potential, growing digital connectivity, and young, skilled workforce.

And urgency — in the challenges we face.

Across Africa, countries are facing numerous obstacles to development.

Hundreds of millions still lack access to safe water and electricity.

Infrastructure gaps, rapid urbanization, and rising trade barriers are constraining productivity.

Conflicts and climate chaos are blocking progress across all sectors.

And Africa now faces an annual development financing gap of up to $1.6 trillion.

This is aggravated by the debt crisis.

Some African countries must pay interest rates up to three times more than benchmark rates, leaving limited fiscal space to invest in sustainable development.

This is yet another clear example of the need to reform the international financial architecture — a call reinforced by Member States in the Sevilla Commitment.

Your theme reminds us that we can “turn the tide.”

By investing in integrated solutions — where clean energy drives industry, infrastructure enables trade and technology powers jobs.

By building global solidarity to finance development and ensure Africa’s strongest possible participation across global financial institutions corresponding to the realities of today’s economy.  

And by summoning massive investment in Africa’s electrification and a just transition to renewable energy.

Together, let’s turn the tide — for Africa and our world.

This statement was delivered at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.