The African Development Bank has urged Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and other development partners to scale up innovative partnerships and initiatives to build peace and security in Africa, home to eleven of the world’s most conflict-affected states.
Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, African Development Bank Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex led the charge during a session held September 21, on the sidelines of the 79th Assembly of the United Nations titled: Investing in Prevention: Scaling up Peace – A Call to Action for DFIs.
Over the last 20 years, the level of global conflict has escalated, with one-fifth of Africa’s population residing in conflict affected areas, affecting the future of the world’s fastest-growing continent.
“Our goal today is very clear. We would like to mobilise institutions to prioritise peace building and through innovative partnerships and new financial mechanisms. This is a call for action.” Akin-Olugbade said in opening remarks.
AfDB calls on DFI’s to put peace into action to promote peace and stability in Africa
WHO, development banks kick off US$ 1.5 billion primary health financing platform
Execution is starting under the new Health Impact Investment Platform on the first country health investment plans turning original commitment into operational reality. The landmark partnership between Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), the World Health Organization (WHO) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is addressing the critical need for coordinated efforts to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC) in vulnerable and underserved communities to build resilience against pandemic threats like mpox and the climate crisis.
At the high-level roundtable meeting in New York on the margins of the UN Summit of the Future in New York today, new funding was signed, and it was agreed that the partners will sit down and start identifying needs and planning health care improvements in 15 countries*.
The roundtable was attended by the partnership’s three founding MDBs – the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) –,WHO and the heads of state, as well as finance and health ministers from Djibouti, Egypt and Ethiopia. The Asian Development Bank also attended the high-level meeting and announced their intention to join the Health Impact Investment Platform in order to expand the initiative into the regions where it operates.
African leaders meet to combat land degradation and desertification
The African Development Bank, the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration, a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.
The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.
The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024.
Africa’s future hinges on youth leadership, says ECA’s Gatete
The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Claver Gatete, has emphasized the need for Africa’s youth to play a central role in shaping the continent’s future. During a meeting on “Transforming Africa with Youth-Driven Solutions” in New York on September 20, he called for concerted efforts to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth for sustainable growth.
“Africa’s youth are not just the future; they are the present driving force of our continent, and they must have a decisive role in shaping our pact for the future,” said Mr. Gatete during the session held ahead of the Summit of the Future under the theme “Transforming Africa with Youth-Driven Solutions.”
With Africa expected to account for 42% of the global youth population by 2030, the ECA Executive Secretary highlighted that the continent’s success, and that of the world, is deeply intertwined with the contributions of its young people.
Despite this demographic advantage, Mr. Gatete acknowledged the significant challenges facing Africa’s youth, particularly in accessing employment opportunities. He pointed to high unemployment rates, an education system misaligned with labor market needs, and insufficient investment in skills development.
“The reality is stark: without urgent investments in education, skills development, and especially digital capabilities, Africa’s young population may struggle to reach its full potential,” he warned.
