Jonathan Shrier
Deputy Representative to the Economic and Social Council
New York, New York
July 21, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Madam Chair, for convening us, and thank you to the panelists for your important presentations. I also want to thank the Secretary-General and the Special Adviser on Africa for this comprehensive biennial report on the implementation of commitments made towards Africa’s development.
Importantly, this report provides 15 action-oriented recommendations to help us regain lost ground. We appreciate this moment to consider how we can support its proposals.
For our part, the United States is committed to revitalizing progress in Africa towards the full achievement of the SDGs. U.S. support for the 2030 Agenda is a vital part of our commitment to seek a free, open, prosperous, and secure world, grounded in our determination to uphold the inherent dignity of every human being.
We are joining partners across Africa to invest in solutions for the future, including sustainable infrastructure, clean energy that drives growth, and technology that helps governments make our citizens’ lives better.
Six months after the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, we are delivering on our commitments through:
- First, Cabinet-level travel throughout the continent;
- Second, the President’s new Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement;
- Third, a half-billion dollar increase in investment deals through the U.S.-Africa Business Forum;
- Fourth, implementing initiatives like Digital Transformation with Africa and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment; and
- Fifth, continued U.S. support to elevate African voices in international fora.
We are also building on our Power Africa initiative to expand reliable access to electricity. We launched the Clean Tech Energy Network, which will connect U.S. and African clean-tech energy companies and investors to market opportunities. It seeks to facilitate up to $350 million in deals within the first five years and to integrate U.S. and African clean energy hubs to spur future investment.
In April, we also launched the Africa Tech for Trade Alliance . This is intended to accelerate e-commerce and digital trade in Africa and address legal, regulatory, and logistical bottlenecks. This Alliance includes companies such as Google, Mastercard, Visa, DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Paypal, among others.
Together, these efforts can support our shared economic interests and directly respond to the needs of African countries. Ultimately, the United States seeks to empower our partners, strengthen their capacity, and invest in our shared future.
In September, we look forward to a successful SDG Summit and will focus on the concrete actions Member States and the UN can take to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, including specifically SDG 17 and SDG 7 for African countries.
Thank you.
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