Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has called on the world leaders to partner with Africa to tackle climate change, address security concerns, promote economic prosperity, combat disease and improve governance.
Osinbajo stated this in a special address delivered at the virtual edition of the 2022 World Economic Forum featuring leaders from across the world.
The Vice President was chosen to deliver one of the 12 special addresses at this year’s event.
About 25 Heads of State and Government have featured generally at the virtual forum since Monday.
Osinbajo listed some of the progress on the African continent to include recovery from the global pandemic, economic growth by 3.7% last year and a projected 3.8% growth in 2022.
He also noted that there is now in place an African Continental Free Trade Agreement to fast-track economic transformation just as the continent is making giant strides in agriculture, manufacturing and digital technology, pointing out that in Nigeria for instance, 6 unicorns have emerged in the past six years.
Prof. Osinbajo who spoke on a wide range of issues noted that it was time for the international community to “walk the talk” by meeting its commitments towards advancing growth in developing economies, especially climate changes obligations.
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On the issue of peace and security, the Vice President said “African countries face a serious threat of terrorism arising from the encroachment of global terror groups and their franchises into Africa.
On the climate change challenge, Osinbajo noted that it is now common knowledge that Africa contributes least to climate change but has been most negatively affected by it.
He then urged “the international community to meet its pledge recently re-affirmed at COP-26 of providing $100 billion annually in climate finance to support climate change efforts in developing countries.
In addition to climate finance, the Vice President called for partnership to tackle poverty, access vaccinations and achieve debt sustainability.
The Vice President also urged multilateral organizations to consider the huge obligations placed on African countries and adopt debt relief initiatives such as the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the Common Framework for Debt Treatments in a manner that will not further constrain the resumption of growth to the continent.
Editor: Omor Bazuaye
