The African Union is advocating for a formal framework on South-South cooperation to unlock the economic potential of countries in the Global South. According to Selma Malika Haddadi, Vice-President of the African Union Commission, institutionalizing this cooperation is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa's Agenda 2063. She made these remarks at the High-Level Dialogue of the African Peer Review Mechanism in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The High-Level Dialogue, themed "Towards 2030 and Beyond: Unlocking the Potential of Triangular and South-South Cooperation to Accelerate the Achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063," brought together stakeholders to discuss ways to deepen economic interdependence and leverage comparative advantages among countries in the South. Haddadi emphasized that the African Union's second decade of implementation of Agenda 2063 aims to make Africa a influential player on the international stage.
To achieve this goal, Haddadi called for consolidating internal ecosystems and promoting open and balanced dialogue with international partners. She stressed that African countries must strengthen their national ecosystems, take ownership of their development programs, and promote autonomy while maintaining constructive dialogue with the international community.
The African Union is reaffirming its support for the African Peer Review Mechanism, which is preparing for the fourth edition of the African High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation. The Union aims to promote economic prosperity, good governance, and inclusive development for African populations through this mechanism.
Prior to the High-Level Dialogue, Haddadi met with Rwandan Foreign Minister and International Cooperation Minister. They discussed the importance of continued cooperation in areas such as institutional reform, sustainable development, and continental integration. The two officials also emphasized the need to strengthen Africa's voice, ownership, and strategic autonomy in line with the objectives of Agenda 2063.
The African Union Commission's participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York reflects its commitment to promoting African interests and cooperation with international partners. The Commission is working to ensure that Africa's voice is heard and its priorities are taken into account in global decision-making processes.
The push for a formal framework on South-South cooperation comes as the international community seeks to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and Africa's development goals. The African Union's efforts aim to promote a more equitable and sustainable global development landscape.
Key points
- The African Union is advocating for a formal framework on South-South cooperation to unlock economic potential and achieve development goals.
- The framework aims to deepen economic interdependence and leverage comparative advantages among countries in the South.
- The African Union is reaffirming its support for the African Peer Review Mechanism to promote economic prosperity, good governance, and inclusive development.
