UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s unwavering support for the China-Africa partnership during his address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, highlighting its critical role in global development. Leaders from around 50 African nations are expected to attend the Summit, held every three years since its inception in 2000.
Navigating Rising Global Challenges
Amid increasing geopolitical tensions and deepening crises worldwide, Guterres acknowledged the significance of this gathering.
“They are meeting in China as geopolitical tensions rise, conflicts rage, and poverty and hunger grow,” He said.
He pointed to major global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, which are exacerbating the already pressing issues of climate change and inequality, impeding the path toward sustainable development in Africa.
The Secretary-General emphasized that many African countries face mounting debt, further hampering their ability to invest in sustainable initiatives. He urged the need for reform:
“We are pushing for reforms so that the international financial architecture and institutions correspond to the realities of today’s world and can respond to today’s challenges.”
Call for Financial System Reform
Guterres reiterated his longstanding call for reforming outdated global financial systems, which he described as “ineffective and unfair.” These systems, he argued, hinder progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His solution? Increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and massively scaling up affordable financing options for developing countries.
“The support of China and Africa for these initiatives is critical,”
he said, underscoring the essential role that South-South cooperation plays in driving development and progress on shared goals.
China-Africa Partnership: A Pillar of Progress
China’s long-standing partnership with Africa, Guterres noted, is a key pillar of South-South cooperation, referring to the exchange of technology and skills between nations of the Global South. He emphasized,
“Your joint efforts, based on the United Nations Charter, can create a new momentum for African development.”
China, Africa’s largest trading partner, offers invaluable support, but Guterres stressed that investments must be more than financial. “And we know that in Africa, as elsewhere, investments are game-changing when they respect national ownership and are financially sustainable, climate-sensitive and consistent with international human rights commitments,” he said.
Driving Sustainable Transitions
Beyond trade, the China-Africa partnership holds significant potential to drive key transitions in renewable energy, food systems, and digital connectivity. “The China-Africa partnership can drive the renewable energy revolution,” Guterres said, highlighting China’s impressive track record in poverty eradication as an invaluable asset in the fight for sustainable development in Africa.
As Guterres pointed out, Africa is home to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, which can maximize the benefits of Chinese expertise in areas ranging from trade to data management, finance, and technology.
Correcting Historic Injustices
In his speech, Guterres also called for correcting what he described as “historic injustices.” One pressing example is the absence of a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, which he labeled “outrageous.”
He highlighted the upcoming Summit of the Future at the UN Headquarters as a pivotal moment for driving necessary reforms. The focus, he explained, would be on preventing new and emerging threats to global security and building on the UN’s recent success in authorizing contributions for African Union-led peace operations.
Guterres concluded with a powerful message, saying, “the full engagement of the United Nations in support of a strong China-Africa partnership, towards our shared goal of peace, sustainable development and human rights on a healthy planet.”
