Urgent Global System Change for the Success of Global Development

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly strikes a momentous milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). The summit of the future has intensified the urgent demand for international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises. These global issues matter to everybody and attendants need to understand that what they say during these meetings is very pivotal in changing the lives of many and the very world we live in.

Heads of State and Governments gathered on 22-23 September 2024, to address the critical challenges and gaps of global governance exposed by recent global shocks. Our very own Evelyn Acham was involved in major negotiation discussions under Global Witness, and these will aim to stress commitments regarding sustainable development goals and the United Nations charter. The summit will result in a negotiated Pact of The Future, an action oriented document aimed to bolster global cooperation and adapt to current challenges effectively for the benefit of all. In this century prosperity for everyone in a thriving planet must be put at the forefront without leaving Africa behind. Achieving SDGs in Africa will open new markets and create millions of jobs for the world’s youngest population. The summit of the future will ensure international financial architecture unlocks the volume of financing required to spur sustainable development in every country. As people from the global south, we have witnessed cycles of negotiations and word documents that have usually fallen behind in implementation, making us wonder where our hope lies sometimes but no matter the circumstances we will still advocate for system change and a better future and those that create the change will save thousands of generations from struggle and inequality.

The world’s poorest countries bore the brunt of more debt service this year than their public spending on health, education and infrastructure combined. This shouldn’t be referred to as the new African or Global South normal, and left in rumors of, “it’s not a direct issue of the Global North.” These crises must not divide us but make us One People, One Planet. The multilateral institutions including the World Bank and IMF need a systemic reform of the global debt architecture to make debt fairer, reducing interest rates, freezing debts in times of crises and extending lending terms. If these financial setbacks are not sorted out sooner, the Global South by all means will definitely continue to remain short in just transition and adaptation to climate change.

The resolution of the huge financing gap should aim at provision of at least $500 billion annually to developing countries in affordable long term finance. We in the Global South also call for urgent action on debt, investment in renewable energy, universal social protection, decent job creation and digital transformation. We must have ambitious reforms, beginning from inclusive representation and more effective global economic governance, which includes debt relief mechanisms and international tax cooperation that benefits all countries. Climate finance will continue to remain a major critical factor in green transition because of the large scale investments that are needed for transition to net-zero emissions and the help of societies build resilience, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and pay for losses and damages caused by climate change.

Agape Earth Coalition(AEC) will continue with some of these topics at the Adaptation African Climate Change Adaptation Conference(ACCAC) from 7th to 8th October at Silver Springs Bugolobi Hotel. We will have a huge emphasis on inclusiveness, African perspectives and grassroots community involvement. These will stir and spur climate discussions that will prepare many African leaders and climate advocates for clear climate goals that can be finally presented at COP29. This will be a highlight of unity and togetherness in climate challenges faced by people in Global South communities. Other topics of national and Global importance such as acceleration of NAPs will also surface. AEC is humbled to be among the pioneers of driving the road of steady progress in Global development Goals with deep consideration of Global South Communities.