United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has published a statement in support of Africa’s industrial development and continental free trade mutually supportive, on Africa Industrialisation Day on November 20, 2017
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has published a statement in support of Africa’s industrial development and continental free trade mutually supportive, on Africa Industrialisation Day on November 20, 2017.
Africa’s move towards industrial development and a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) should establish complimentary links between them, Guterres said.
Industrialisation is a principle driver of job creation and overall economic growth, as well as achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Africa Union’s 2063 Agenda, he said.
Strategic investment in cross-border infrastructure, the promotion of low-carbon solutions and green technologies, partnerships to incentivise innovation and sustainable growth, and encouragement of small and medium enterprises were also highlighted by the Secretary-General as being important to the continent’s development.
Furthermore, Africa should promote the abilities of its young people in affecting change and strengthen national institutions, in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s own Agenda 2063.
A panel discussion on November 27, 2017, hosted by the UN Industrial Development Organisation, will work to increase efforts towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development across Africa’s CFTA and broader structural transformation.
The UN General Assembly first proclaimed November 20 as Africa Industrialisation Day in 1989, which this year supports the theme 'African Industrial Development: A Pre-Condition for an Effective and Sustainable Continental Free Trade Area'.
