UN General Assembly
2016

Yet despite such remarkable strides, human progress is still constrained by a gamut of challenges — inequality within and between nations and regions, prosperity that does not translate into prosperity for all, poverty, violations of human rights, instability and growing environmental fragility. Such momentous challenges call for a collective effort on the part of the community of nations. Today, Africa’s global trade stands at 3 per cent of the world’s total. It consists primarily of crude oil, which accounts for 50 per cent, while the remainder is divided between unprocessed minerals and agricultural raw materials. Meanwhile, Africa’s population is set to surpass that of India and China combined by 2050. Unless our trade imbalance is reversed, as a matter of urgency, it will accentuate vulnerability, enhance poverty and increase the risk of insecurity and instability for both Africa and the rest of the world. We need to reverse those trends and imbalances.