The 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), themed "Leaving no one behind: Acting together for peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations," has placed Africa’s key challenges at the forefront, including climate change, economic inequality, and rapid urbanization. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, discussions this year focus on empowering youth and women to shape the continent’s future.
Historically, UNGA has provided African nations a platform to address global issues such as poverty and peacekeeping. This year, African leaders are exploring strategies for sustainable urban growth while addressing the pressures of rural-urban migration, which has led to congestion, housing shortages, and environmental degradation in cities. Farida Yahya, President of MWFAAN, emphasizes the need for better rural infrastructure to ease the migration burden.
Public-private partnerships (PPP) are being highlighted as key to addressing these challenges. By leveraging the resources of governments, non-profits, and businesses, African nations can implement green technologies in cities. Ronald Chagoury Jr., Vice Chairman of Eko Atlantic, stresses the importance of sustainable construction, noting that resource-efficient buildings will create more resilient urban areas and bring long-term economic benefits.
As digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) reshape the world, Africa has the opportunity to leapfrog traditional development models, driving innovation and fostering inclusive, sustainable growth.
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