Statement by Mr. Amit Narang, Counsellor,  Joint Debate on Agenda Item 62 (a) and (b): ‘New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)’ and Item 12: Decade to Roll-back Malaria in developing countries in particular Africa at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly 
on October 17, 2014

Mr. President,

It is an honor for India to participate today in this important debate on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and our fight to roll-back Malaria in developing countries.

Mr. President,

As a common expression of the collective vision and the strategic framework for the socio-economic development of Africa, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development or NEPAD has made commendable progress.

India attaches high importance to the main objective of NEPAD which is to generate broad-based and equitable economic growth that allows Africa to reduce poverty and better integrate into the global economy.

Mr. President,

Africa has made impressive progress in achieving the MDGs, even though progress remains uneven and halting. Many of the goals and targets remain unmet and a renewed effort and final push is required in the final year to overcome the challenges.

As the international community negotiates a new development agenda for the post-2015 period, it is time for us to collectively re-commit ourselves to keep the interests of Africa at the centre of this agenda.

The needs and priorities of Africa Mr. President must be at the centre of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Mr. President,

Sustained and robust inclusive economic growth is indispensable for eradicating poverty and therefore also a central policy objective.

Secretary General’s report on this agenda item shows that African growth as an aggregate was 1 percent faster than the global average in 2013.

Furthermore, the African Economic Outlook forecasts economic growth in Africa to pick up to the pre-crisis level of 6.5 percent.

This is welcome.

Yet, economic growth would need to pick up considerably for Africa to make a sustained dent in poverty levels.

To sustain this growth momentum, continued and enhanced support to the NEPAD priorities by the international community is vital.

Scaled-up investments in infrastructure, both economic and social, as well as in productive capacity for industrial development are needed.

This is an area of priority for India’s partnership with Africa as well.

Mr. Chairperson,

The report of the Secretary General correctly points out that a strengthened and sustained global partnership is of critical importance for Africa to sustain recent development gains and accelerating progress towards reaching the MDGs.

The commitments made by the international community must be met at the earliest.

While ODA disbursements to Africa increased marginally in 2013, the share of Africa in ODA allocations remains unchanged and the overall ODA levels remain far short of the 0.7 percent mark.

Mr. President,

The issue of debt sustainability which is at the centre stage of discussions during this session of the General Assembly is of critical concern to Africa. IMF analysis suggests that almost 20 percent of African countries are at a high risk of debt distress.

In this context, the mandate of GA resolution 68/304 for a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes in order to increase the efficiency, stability and predictability of the international financial system acquires significance.

Mr. President,

The debate today comes at a time when countries in Africa are confronted with what the WHO has called ‘the most severe acute public health emergency in modern times’.

The serious challenge and threat posed by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa requires urgent coordinated action by the international community.

India has a track record of participating actively in multilateral efforts to tackle public health emergencies like our response to the HIV/AIDS issue a decade ago in Africa and Asia.

In the current crisis, India provided immediate financial assistance to three of the affected countries -Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Republic of Guinea and offered half a million dollars to the World Health Organization to scale up its efforts.

Subsequently, India has followed this up with a contribution of 10 million US dollars to the UN Secretary General’s Fund for Ebola and an additional US Dollars 2 million for purchase of protective gear to tackle Ebola.

Mr. President,

Secretary General’s report on NEPAD affirms the continued growth of Africa’s engagement and cooperation with India.

Indian investment in Africa has expanded considerably and brings benefits to the African economy in diverse sectors such as ICT, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, energy, and chemicals.

Today’s India’s partnership with Africa is multi-faceted. What is more, this partnership is aligned with Africa’s own development priorities and roadmaps.

Having grown at a robust 31.8% annually between 2005 and 2011, India’s trade with Africa is estimated to be over US$ 72 billion in 2013-14.

Indian Investment in Africa is estimated to be over US$ 35 billion.

During the last decade, India has extended more than 6.7 billion US dollars of concessional Lines of Credit for African countries, which is more than 2/3rd of the total Lines of Credit extended by India.

Thousands of African students and experts have availed of training facilities in India under various schemes including the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) last year. During the same period, a number of capacity building institutions have been set up while several others are under implementation.

India hosted the third meeting with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa in New Delhi on 21-22 August, 2014. This was in recognition of the regional integration taking place in Africa and demonstrated India’s commitment to partner with the African Union as well as the RECs.

Mr. President,

India has also been a steady contributor to the maintenance of peace and security in the African continent since 1960.

Presently over 6,500 Indian Peacekeepers are deployed in Africa.

Over the years, India’s committed participation in United Nations Peacekeeping in Africa has  helped many African countries in coping with inter and intra state conflicts, weak institutions and collapsing economies, besides assisting in the resettlement of  millions of internally displaced people.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate India’s abiding commitment to deepen and strengthen its partnership with Africa for the attainment of the development priorities identified by the African countries under NEPAD and to give high importance to the interests of Africa in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

I thank you.