I am pleased to speak today on behalf of NEPAD, the African Union Development Agency.
The gap between developed and developing countries has widened significantly, because of the Covid pandemic, conflicts, and the climate emergency. For developing countries, this means higher borrowing costs and more debt.
The countries represented here in the G20, particularly the developed ones, hold the key to creating the necessary fiscal space to address these challenges.
One proven tool is the Debt Service Suspension Initiative, which provided essential relief during the pandemic, and which should be reintroduced. We also appreciate the Resilience and Sustainability Trust established by the International Monetary Fund, and encourage greater support for this facility.
The rise in food and fertilizer prices is particularly alarming. This year’s G20 Summit is taking place against the background of COP-27, where the contribution of our current food systems to greenhouse gas emissions was emphasized.
I commend the attention given to the priorities that matter to small and developing countries, including coping with the effects of the war in Ukraine, and other crises.
What Africa wants to see is peace. We are confident that we cannot be accused of taking sides, simply by asking for peace.
Africa is here for Africa, and our productive relationship with the rest of the world. We have specific challenges, which are made worse by these external factors, and too often our people are left to pay the price.
Africa looks forward to working with you to change things for the better.
I conclude by thanking the Government of Indonesia for the warm hospitality here in Bali.
Thank you for kind attention.