High-level Advocacy and Engagement Event in Support of the Proclamation of the Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
UNCTAD has a longstanding commitment to supporting Africa’s inclusive growth, economic transformation, and sustainable development. Trade and industrialization are central to this journey.
As the UN’s trade and development agency, UNCTAD helps developing countries participate in – and benefit from – the global economy more fairly and effectively.
We do this through policy research, monitoring of trade measures such as the expected expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act next week, and supporting trade policy development and implementation. We also provide training in trade negotiations and data-driven tools to help countries identify opportunities for value addition and diversification.
Let me highlight three concrete examples of our support:
First, Transforming for Trade in Angola, a joint EU-UNCTAD programme.
Over five years, it built human capital to diversify Angola’s economy away from oil. More than 3,300 Angolans across 940 institutions, including 23 ministries, were trained. The programme supported the review and development of 15+ policies and legal frameworks and modernized university curricula.
Second, harnessing critical minerals for the energy transition.
The global shift to clean energy must serve as a development opportunity for resource-rich African countries. UNCTAD supports them in moving up the value chain by promoting value addition and diversification. We work with industry stakeholders to identify potential products and help governments design targeted policy instruments.
Third, boosting productive capacities.
Africa’s ability to industrialize and participate effectively in global trade depends on stronger productive capacities. UNCTAD’s Productive Capacities Index enables countries to assess strengths and gaps, and design policies for resilience and competitiveness.
Excellencies,
UNCTAD remains deeply committed to working with African partners to advance industrialization of their rich and dynamic continent.
Thank you.