Africa Industrialization Day

Ambassador Ehouzou
Mr. Van Rompaey
Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Thank you very much for inviting me to join you to celebrate Africa Industrialization Day. This day is important for two key reasons: First, it reminds us of the great opportunities for industrial development on the African continent. And second, it highlights the coordinated work of the United Nations and many other actors around the world in addressing the challenges that need to be overcome to truly capitalize on these opportunities.

In this spirit, I am pleased to deliver the message of the Secretary-General for African Industrialization Day 2014, which is shared around the world on this occasion.

The message reads as follows:
“Many African economies have shown impressive growth rates in recent years, but increased prosperity has not always translated into inclusive wealth creation. Far too often, economic development depends on the extraction of natural resources and on low-skilled labor, which has resulted in a weak manufacturing base and uneven distribution of wealth.

Agriculture still accounts for the major share of rural household income and employs over 60 percent of Africa’s labor force, particularly women. Low agricultural productivity continues to threaten food security in Africa as a whole.

I therefore welcome this year’s theme for Africa Industrialization Day: the importance of inclusive and sustainable industrialization and the close links between agro-industrial development and food security.

Africa needs a green, clean industrialization that leapfrogs outdated, polluting processes and platforms and benefits from new technologies. Inclusive and sustainable industrialization is a key stepping stone towards sustained economic growth, food security and poverty eradication in Africa.

On the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, I reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to promote Africa’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development to help ensure an economically prosperous and socially integrated continent.”

This was the end of the Secretary-General’s message.

It is very appropriate to come together here in International Geneva to commemorate African Industrialization Day. International Geneva is critical in the implementation of industrial development strategies when it comes to labour, trade, economic integration and many other areas - and there is no doubt that the community in Geneva will play a major role in the implementation of also this aspect of the post-2015 development agenda.

The African Group has long been very active in Geneva, reflecting the dynamism that we see on the African continent. And we look forward working closely with all of you in making the new development agenda a reality on the ground - and across all the challenges that face us today.

We value highly also the partnership with UNIDO. Only a few weeks ago, we hosted the UNIDO Director-General at an Executive Briefing, which demonstrated the keen interest in UNIDO’s efforts here in Geneva. The close relationship between UNIDO, the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, reflected in the joint statement we heard a few minutes ago, will continue to be a driving force for development.

The real strength of International Geneva lies in the extent and variety of that actors who work here across traditional silos to promote peace, rights and well-being. Just this week, we have organized the first-ever Geneva Peace Week, bringing together actors from the peacebuilding community with those from other sectors, within and outside the United Nations system. The link between development and peace is well-established, and we need to continue to look for synergies that flow from this link, which is why I am particularly pleased to be today also as part of Geneva Peace Week.

It is only when all stakeholders work together in an inclusive and integrated manner in a spirit of partnership that we can build a better world. And you can rely on UNOG in this effort.

Thank you very much for allowing me to be part of this celebration.