\n
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The UN chief underlined the global body’s support for this partnership in remarks to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.<\/p>\n
Leaders from some 50 African countries are expected to attend the Summit, which has been held every three years since 2000.<\/p>\n
Mr. Guterres noted that they were gathering in China amid rising geopolitical tensions, raging conflicts and growing poverty and hunger.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pointed to current challenges, including the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, as well as the worsening climate crisis, inequalities and threats to global and African efforts to achieve sustainable development.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, many African countries are mired in debt and struggling to invest in sustainable development, he said.<\/p>\n
The UN Secretary-General recalled his proposals to reform \u201coutdated, ineffective and unfair international financial architecture\u201d, and to provide a stimulus plan for developing countries striving to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality.<\/p>\n
Solutions include increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and enabling them to massively scale up affordable financing for development.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the support of China and Africa for these initiatives is critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this context, South-South cooperation is essential to build capacities and drive progress on shared development goals \u2013 while in no way reducing the responsibilities of the Global North<\/strong>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr. Guterres described China\u2019s partnership with the African continent as a pillar of South-South cooperation. The process refers to the exchange of technology and skills between countries of the Global South.<\/p>\n \u201cYour joint efforts, based on the United Nations Charter, can create a new momentum for African development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He recalled that China is already Africa\u2019s longstanding and largest trading partner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we know that in Africa, as elsewhere, investments are game-changing when they respect national ownership and are financially sustainable, climate-sensitive and consistent with international human rights commitments<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Furthermore, \u201cChina\u2019s remarkable record of development – including on eradicating poverty \u2013 provides a wealth of experience and expertise\u201d, he continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThe China-Africa partnership can drive the renewable energy revolution<\/strong>. It can be a catalyst for key transitions on food systems and digital connectivity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd as home to some of the world\u2019s most dynamic economies, Africa can maximize the potential of China\u2019s support in areas from trade to data management, finance and technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Guterres also used the speech to highlight the need to \u201ccorrect some historic injustices\u201d.<\/p>\n For example, it was \u201coutrageous\u201d that the continent of Africa has no permanent seat on the UN Security Council, he said.<\/p>\n In this regard, the\u00a0<\/strong>Summit of the Future<\/strong> at UN Headquarters later this month \u201cwill be a pivotal opportunity for renewal and reform \u2013 anchored in solidarity and justice\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n The UN chief spoke of the proposed focus on the prevention of and joint approaches to new and emerging threats to global security, building on recent success in authorizing UN-assessed contributions for African Union-led peace operations.\u00a0<\/p>\nPartnership for transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Meeting today\u2019s challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n