Anatolio Ndong Mba, Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations (UN), outlined solutions to eradicate poverty in line with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda at the 56thForum for Economic and Social Development.
Equatorial Guinea highlighted the importance of solving the issue of poverty as a key to success and prosperity throughout the world and the African continent. “Poverty, being the basis of all ills, contributes to disease, malnutrition, weak economic growth, human trafficking, and drug consumption, among many other issues,” said the representative from Equatorial Guinea during the high-level session.
Equatorial Guinea relayed the concern of the African Group that while millions have emerged from extreme poverty, the pace of poverty reduction in the sub-Saharan area remains slow and is exacerbated by wars and civil conflicts in those countries.
Equatorial Guinea called for industrialization to generate employment, economic growth, and structural economic transformation as means to eradicate poverty.
Equatorial Guinea also reiterated the Forum of Africa’s commitment to actively participate in development efforts and initiatives to promote social and economic development on the African continent.
The Forum took place at the UN headquarters in New York.
Equatorial Guinea was elected to the Security Council after an historic vote earlier in 2017 and is joined by the Ivory Coast, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru, and Poland.
Equatorial Guinea’s candidacy for the seat was endorsed by the African Union and the country pledged to strive toward global sustainable peace so the UN development objectives can be achieved.