G7 FMs, EU reiterate commitment to support peace in Africa
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union have reiterated their commitment to support African nations in the pursuit of peace, stability and sustainable development, as well as the creation of jobs and growth.
In a statement published on Tuesday by US State Department, they pledged to continue to build “equitable and sustainable” partnerships with Africa based on result-based initiatives, aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the integrated African continental thematic plans, in order to jointly tackle global challenges.
They reiterated their commitment to support the African Union in the pursuit of peace and stability.
The foreign ministers said they recognise the importance of bridging digital divides and strengthening the value chain between G7 and African countries.
In this respect, they said they welcome the progress made by the G7 Italian Presidency in collaboration with UNDP in the co-design of the “AI Hub for Sustainable Development,” set to focus on key sectors including agriculture, health, infrastructure, education and training, water, and energy, in the spirit of the Mattei Plan.
The Hub embodies the G7’s commitment to “Growing Together” with partner countries, advancing shared goals of sustainable development and ensuring that the digital age contributes to a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
They also welcomed the G20 recognition of the WHO-led Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) and the Global Digital Health Certification Network, aligning support and guidance for digital transformation.
“Building on the achievements of previous G7 Presidencies, we will continue strengthening the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) in the African continent as well as initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway.”
PGII offers a framework to promote sustainable, climate neutral, inclusive, resilient and economically viable quality infrastructure, underpinned by high standards, transparent project selection, procurement and finance.
The press release said while PGII has a global reach, “we commit to focus on regions and sectors where infrastructure investment has the greatest impact, including the African continent”.
The foreign ministers welcomed the decisions taken at the G7 Development Ministers’ meeting in Pescara to launch the PGII secretariat, for effective implementation and investment coordination with partners, and to support the implementation of the African Virtual Investment Platform (AVIP), to enhance data and information, transparency and public policies on investment in Africa, in line with the Apulia G7 Leaders’ commitment to enhance the PGII.
PGII will work together with Public Development Banks, Development Finance Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks and the private sector to improve enabling environments and country-based investment design, coordination and co-financing.
The press release said in line with the integrated African continental plans for improved local and regional infrastructure, trade and food security, initial pilots will be linked to economic corridors, such as the Lobito Corridor in Southern and Central Africa.
They welcomed the G7 leader’s decision to launch the “Energy for Growth in Africa” initiative, that will help to overcome barriers to investments in clean energy across Africa.
“We also welcome the launch of the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative (AFSI), a package of initiatives to improve food security and nutrition and harness the role of agriculture and food systems for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on Africa.”
The press release said the AFSI will concentrate on concrete actions on the ground, supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives to promote sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems, including in coffee value-chains, and fight malnutrition, with a focus on childhood stunting and wasting.
The foreign ministers commended the launch of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and said they were looking forward to collaborating with Gavi, the African Union and Africa CDC to develop regional vaccine manufacturing capacity.
-0- PANA MA 26Nov2024
