As expected, the Malagasy number one made a ten-minute speech on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary of UNCTAD renamed “UN trade and development”.
Vision
The change of name of the UN body fits with the vision of President Andry Rajoelina. He also congratulated UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebecca Grynspan for “highlighting the vision of developing island countries like Madagascar during this commemoration”. This demonstrates, he added, “the essential commitment to promoting sustainable development, through trade and investment”. Before continuing that “the theme of this forum, “Charting a new path for development in a changing world” responds to the issues that countries around the world are facing in a constantly evolving global context.”
Commitment. He is obviously the tenant of Iavoloha who insisted “on carrying the voice of all the less advanced countries, long and violent victims of the harmful effects of interdependent global crises”. Stressing that “during recent years, UNCTAD’s commitment to a fairer and more equitable international order has continued to strengthen and adapt to major global changes. The technical assistance she has always provided, her sound advice and her continued advocacy on behalf of developing countries are invaluable.”
Changing world. The Malagasy Head of State noted that “in a rapidly changing world, all countries in the world have had to review their development strategy to strengthen the vision of accelerating industrialization and the empowerment of economies. The cascading crises which have led to devastating consequences on the global economy.” And to cite the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, recent armed conflicts, a source of social instability for the most vulnerable countries which are the collateral victims of crises for which they are not responsible.
Adapted strategies. Faithful to his principle that “every problem must have a solution”, Andry Rajoelina declared that “our duty as a leader is to transform every problem into an opportunity”. And take the case of technology which has provided innovative solutions for economic transformations. “Technological revolutions have made it possible to remove barriers and borders between countries.” Regarding Madagascar, the president noted that the country “has armed itself with appropriate strategies in order to achieve emergence in terms of growth and development”. He announced a forecast of an economic growth rate of 4.5% for this year if the IMF report expects average GDP growth of around 3.8% for the African continent.
Resilient future. “This demonstrates the dynamism of our economy,” underlined President Andry Rajoelina. Not without reiterating that “Madagascar fully joins the theme of this celebration of the 60th anniversary of UNCTAD and supports the path that is charted by calling all countries to action, in order to build together a resilient, equitable and sustainable future, especially for vulnerable countries. An opinion shared by the representative of the government of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin who advocated “prosperity for all”. Same story from the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres who is for “the elimination of poverty”. Chinese President the next 5 years from China. The President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani is also for “harmonious, integrated and balanced growth of the world economy”.
R.O