UN chief said on Africa Day that the world must move from "managing crises to preventing them." (Source: Xinhuanet)
UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- UN chief said on Africa Day that the world must move from "managing crises to preventing them."
Africa Day 2017 comes at an important moment in the continent's endeavors towards peace, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, urging humanity to listen and learn with the people of Africa.
"All of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa. It starts with prevention. Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. We need to break the cycle of responding too late and too little," said Guterres in his message commemorating Africa Day.
Africa Day, formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day, is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union, on May 25, 1963. It is celebrated in various countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.
The UN chief pointed out that most of today's conflicts are internal, triggered by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalization, disrespect for human rights and sectarian divides. Often, they are inflamed by violent extremism or provide the fuel for it.
But prevention goes far beyond focusing solely on conflict.
"The best means of prevention and the surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development. It is critical to continue building more effective and accountable institutions to address governance challenges, advance the rule of law and promote civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights," he stressed.
As the international community has entered the second year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to tackle global poverty, inequality, instability and injustice, Guterres highlighted that Africa has adopted its own complementary and ambitious plan: Agenda 2063.
"For the people of Africa to fully benefit from these important efforts, these two agendas need to be strategically aligned," he said.
Guterres referred to last month's first-ever UN-African Union annual conference as "a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnership and establish a higher platform of cooperation," saying: "Our work is based on four driving principles: mutual respect, solidarity, complementarity and interdependence."
Guterres said that the UN partnership with Africa is also rooted in a deep sense of gratitude.
"Africa provides the majority of United Nations peacekeepers around the world. African nations are among the world's largest and most generous hosts of refugees. Africa includes some of the world's fastest-growing economies," he elaborated.
The UN chief also reaffirmed his commitment as a partner, friend and committed advocate for changing the narrative about this diverse and vital continent.
"Crises represent at best a partial view. But, from a higher platform of cooperation, we can see the whole picture - one that recognizes the enormous potential and remarkable success stories throughout the African continent," said the secretary-general.
