Permanent Mission of India New York

Transcription

1 Check Against Defivery Permanent Mission of India New York Statement by Ambassador Bhagwant S[ngh B[shnoÿ, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Joint debate on Agenda item 66: New PartnershLp for Africa's Devetopment: progress in [mptementat[on and international support; and item 14: Decade to Roll Back Matar[a in Devetop[ng Countries, Part[cutarty in Africa 70th Session of the United Nations Genera[ Assembty, New York, October 16, 2015 I am honored to speak on behalf of India at today's debate on the New Partnership for Africa's DeveLopment. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-GeneraL for his reports on the items under discussion, including the 13th consolidated progress report on the implementation of and [nternat[onal support to NEPAD. We endorse the statement made by the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77. Mr. PresLdent, As a template of African-owned and African-Led framework for the socio-econom[c development of the continent, the New Partnership for Africa's DeveLopment or NEPAD has played an Lmportant role in galvanizing the support of the international

2 2 community for the efforts of African nations in bringing sustainable development to their people. The report of the Secretary Genera[ correctly notes that in the decade and a half of its implementation, the continent has, in overall terms, experienced unprecedented economic growth and improved social deve[opment, even though progress in some areas has been halting and persistent challenges have hampered the continent's achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. While we have debated the implementation of NEPAD for several years, the unique context and timing of the debate today is most propitious. Our leaders have just adopted the new '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' to channel our co[[ective efforts over the coming decade and a half. We a/so adopted this year new template for financing development under the 'Addis Ababa Action Agenda'. As the outcome of a Conference that was he[d on African soil, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda wi[[ a[so, we hope, generate tangible results in generating financial and techno[og[ca[ support to assist the efforts of African countries. Also this year, African member states adopted the 'Agenda 2063', an ambitious 50- year transformative agenda that outlines a wide-ranging and comprehensive vision for the continent's deve[opment, peace and security. Taken together therefore, the year 2015 marks an important milestone for Africa's development.

3 in our view, the new developmental vision and the template of action contained in the Agenda 2030 is ambitious, comprehensive and ho[istic. At its core are ideals and objectives that are also most relevant for the development of Africa. The recognition that ending poverty is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainab[e deve[opment speaks directly to the imperative of keeping the interests and priorities of Africa at the centre of our efforts. The continuation and strengthening of MDG priorities under the SDGs - health, water, sanitation, education, we[fare of children and women and food security - address challenges where progress has been made but much more needs to be done, not [east in Africa. The addition of a standa[one goal on universal access to affordable energy addresses a key pillar of development and a key priority for Africa. The inclusion in the SDGs of economic growth, fuji employment, industrialization and infrastructure development as policy objectives in their own right, is also most relevant for Africa. Even more important[y, the emphasis Laid by our Leaders on revitalizing the global partnership to support the efforts of developing countries through financ[a[ and technological assistance, is in line with the priorities out[ined in NEPAD. In the months and years to come, as the internationa[ community puts the new framework into action, it wi[[ be incumbent upon us to keep the priorities of Africa at the centre of our work.

4 4 The report of the Secretary General on NEPAD paints a rather benign picture of the state of global partnershlp to support AfrLca's development. The most important reflection of this is of course the stagnating if not declining Levels of deve[opment ald to AfrLca. Even as overall ODA [evels Lncreased s[lghtly in 2014 over 2013, what is striking is that ODA to Africa suffered a decline. Moreover, the share of AfrLca in global ODA also fell This cannot but be a cause of concern and a situation that must be remedied at the earliest. It Ls important not only that aid commitments are met at the earliest, but also that aid continues to flow to those most in need. It Ls equally important dlverted away from social sectors Like hea[th and education into that aid is not climate change mitigation, for which the support must be new and additional India's [inks wlth Africa go back a Long way in history. Nurtured by people to people contact, these Links are anchored in shared history and enduring frlendship across the Indian Ocean. Our common bonds of anti-colonial strugg[e and post-colonial nationbuilding have further strengthened this friendship and cooperation. india and Africa today represent rapidly growing economies with demographic advantages and common development aspirations. The multifaceted development partnership between India equality, friendship and solidarity represents South-South and Africa based on cooperation in all its dlmensions.

5 It encompasses human resource development through scholarships, training and capacity building; financial assistance through grants and soft Loans to implement various public goods projects in accordance with the requests of our African partners; trade preferences; technology collaborations; humanitarian assistance; deployment of peacekeep[ng troops; and coordination of approach on global issues of concern for developing countries. The focused priorities being pursued by the Government of India [n its partnership with Africa are synergistic with Africa's own Agenda The similarity of our priorities and shared purpose provide Special strength and durability to our partnership. 1 Since 2011 alone, India has provided over 24,000 scholarships to Aft[can countries. These include more than 300 training programmes conducted at over 60 institutions in addition to the higher education scholarships at various institutions. India-Africa trade has multiplied 20 times [n the Last 15 years and doubled in the Last five years to reach US$ 72 billion [n Launched [n 2008, India expanded [ts Duty Free Trade Preference Scheme for LDCs in 2014 to now include 98% of tariff Lines. The benefits of this unilateral scheme extend to at[ sub Saharan African countries to increase their exports to India. Growing investment by Indian companies [n Africa [s now estimated [n the range of US$ billion spread across a range of sectors.

6 In the Last decade, a total of almost US$ 9 bllllon Ln concesslonal credlt has been approved for nearly 140 projects Ln more than 40 African countrles by Government of IndLa, wlth speclal emphasls on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS partners Ln view of thelr speclal challenges and requlrements. So far nearly 60 projects have been completed. lndla Ls organ[zlng the thlrd lndla-afr[ca Forum SummLt from October, 2015, at which we have planned the participation of a[[ 54 African countries. This will be the first such SummLt following the Landmark adoptlon of the Agenda 2063 by the AfrLca Union thls year. This Summit wlll also be the first slnce the achievement of 50 years of pan-afrlcanism. India and Africa have Long worked together to develop a common approach and jolnt endeavor to attaln LncLusLve economic growth, eradlcate poverty and achieve sustalnab[e development. We have no doubt that this unlque partnershlp wlll only strengthen in the coming years. Ithankyou.