UNCTAD – 73rd Trade and Development Board Item 7 – Activities undertaken by UNCTAD in support of Africa

Ms. President,

The Delegation of the Holy See would like to thank UNCTAD for presenting its report on activities supporting Africa and commends its continued commitment to the continent, as demonstrated by the increase of technical cooperation expenditure to 33.9 percent.[1]

Pope Leo XIV described the African continent as “a reservoir of joy and hope,”[2] whose peoples “strive to rise above, to prepare themselves for great responsibilities, and to take an active part in shaping their own future.”[3] Yet, this hope is being tested by profound and compounding challenges, including geopolitical confrontation, socioeconomic difficulties, climate change, and Africa’s still peripheral position within the international trading system.

Such challenges must be met with development policies that never lose sight of the human persons and their inherent God-given dignity. “Development is truly human when it places people at the center.”[4] This requires not only assisting those in need, but also addressing and eliminating the structural causes of poverty.[5]

Firstly, many African countries have been led to unsustainable debt levels with high servicing costs by an unjust financial architecture, which constrains economic growth and stifles social progress. It is estimated that African countries spend, on average, more than a quarter of their total government revenues on interest payments. This unjust structure, which systematically transfers resources from the poor to their creditors must be reformed.

Secondly, when properly designed and adequately deployed, digital technologies play a key role in advancing development. However, when these technologies remain concentrated in the hands of a few, without adequate forms of sharing and access mechanisms, the fair quest for development is further hindered.[6] Harnessing the benefits of digital technologies is also essential for unlocking the full potential of services and overcoming barriers to market access.[7]

Moreover, these obstacles are further exacerbated by other structural challenges that perpetuate Africa’s disadvantages. These include overreliance on commodities, which leads to a lack of diversification, illicit financial flows, and corruption.

It is essential to provide long-term support for Africa and address the structural obstacles hindering the Continent’s sustainable development. 

In conclusion, the Delegation of the Holy See reaffirms the importance of a people-centered and integral development. This should not only be measured by the amount of assistance provided, but also by whether every African man and woman is given the means to fulfil his or her potential.

Thank you, Ms. President.