Opening Remarks. Ms. Leila Gharagozloo Pakkala. UNICEF Regional Director, and. R-UNDG Champion for Middle Income Countries,

Transcription

1 Opening Remarks Ms. Leila Gharagozloo Pakkala UNICEF Regional Director, and R-UNDG Champion for Middle Income Countries, Eastern and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa Experience Sharing Meeting Middle Income Countries Excellency, Mr. Danny Faure, Vice-President of Seychelles, Honorable Justice Francis McGregor, President of the Court of Appeal, Honourable Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, United Nations Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, On behalf of the United Nations Regional Directors for Africa, several of whom are here this week, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Seychelles for hosting this milestone meeting on the UN Strategy of Support to Middle Income Countries in Africa. Page 1 of 5

2 Today, more than 20 countries in sub-saharan Africa have achieved middle income status. Over the next decade, the majority of countries on the continent will be considered as middle income. This is a testimony to the rapid transformation of Africa, characterized by remarkable economic growth and strong development progress. However, as we will hear during our meeting this week and it is important to say this at the onset middle income status is positive but carries with it a number of challenges: o First: is the paradox of high economic growth with pockets of poverty. In most cases, middle income countries register high GNI per capita and low human development indices. o Second, in most middle income countries there is high or increasing inequality: in terms of geographical focus, between income quintiles and from a gender lens. o Finally, there are gaps in middle income countries in human capital, and a continued dependence on external expertise. Page 2 of 5

3 As the international community has just discussed during the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa, achievement of middle income status is often accompanied by a transformation of the financing for development landscape for countries, from one that relies on public international finances to one that relies on private and public domestic resources. It also entails reviewing current models and approaches to programme partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector and the UN system, so that we can best support economic growth and sustainable development outcomes. This is why we are gathered here in Seychelles this week: o to review global trends and their impact on middle income countries; o to share experiences across regions and continents about the changes countries are going through as they reach middle income status, and how governments, civil society, private sector and the UN are working together in these evolving contexts; o to share experiences on the UN system s programming and operational activities in middle income countries, including key success factors, challenges and lessons learned; Page 3 of 5

4 o to review a draft strategy for UN engagement and support in middle income countries, with active contribution from various partners and countries themselves; and o to identify areas that UN country teams will focus on, in our programmes, partnerships and operational activities, so that we bring continued added value to help governments address sustainable development challenges in all their dimensions: social, economic and environmental. Mr. Vice-President, It is with these objective in mind, that we are especially pleased to have this meeting in Seychelles this week. As a middle income country until recently, Seychelles has made great strides in achievement of the Millennium Development Goals over the years. The country has met most targets, particularly those relating to health and social development, including access to education, sanitation, safe drinking water and primary health care. The country has also made strong progress on access to new technologies, and their use in innovative development initiatives. These achievements should be applauded. Page 4 of 5

5 Having made the transition to high income status recently, Seychelles continues its strong commitment and action to safeguard the gains it has made, while addressing both the unfinished business of the MDGs and new and emerging areas of concern in economic, environmental and social development. We look forward to hearing from the participants from the Government of Seychelles during the course of the week, as we learn about your experiences together with those of other government participants from across the continent. The meeting we are embarking on will set the stage for even stronger collaboration at country, regional and continental level and well beyond for middle income countries, the UN, the private sector and civil society. On behalf of the UN Regional Directors Group, I thank all of you for making time to be in this meeting, and for contributing to the discussions and outcomes. Thank you. Page 5 of 5