Presser on the AFRODAD’s Contribution to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
On the 12th of July 2021, AFRODAD’s Executive Director, Jason Rosario Braganza spoke at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development hosted by the Economic and Social Council. The session discussed ways public and private financing can be scaled up to unlock investments for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda objectives against the backdrop of the COVID-19 recovery.
During his intervention, Jason’s overarching message focused on (i) the inadequacy of debt relief initiatives that slows down African countries recovery out of the global pandemic and (ii) the imbalance in decision-making power structures underlying the “Building back better” message that will continue perpetuate strong dependency and inequalities where developing countries remain voiceless in global policy development.
On leveraging public and private finance and expertise for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, Jason cautioned in regard to debt issues, it is unreasonable to expect different results while using the exact old broken financing system –favouriting outflows of the continent under IFFS and debt servicing and, profiteering out of poverty and crisis. A Global Debt Authority under the auspices of the UN could be an innovative alternative in addressing those issues and promoting greater and equitable participation of middle income and developing countries. Indeed, whilst the strong push for transparency on developing countries is necessary, it also shows the structural imbalance as transparency is needed from all actors (governments, bilateral donors, private actors, etc).
Covid-19 is presenting us an opportunity to rethink the global development architecture and to push for “building FORWARD TOGETHER” with greater participation and equal voices of developing countries, especially with African countries are rule-makers and not rule takers.
Here is the full statement to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Author: Aurore Sokpoh, Programme Intern. You may reach her through [email protected]
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