The president of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, said that Africa needs "urgent" international support and systemic reforms to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063 (African Union framework).

In a publication by Voice of America (VOA)Yang also highlighted Africa's potential during the UN General Assembly's New Partnership for Africa's Development debate.

"There has never been a better time to accelerate progress towards peace, prosperity and sustainable development," he said. Philémon Yang highlighted the challenges of electricity deficits, food insecurity, the debt problem and "the unfair global financial system" which "has exacerbated Africa's financial pressures", which, according to the UN, leads to a development financing deficit of 1.6 billion dollars.

According to the United Nations, Africa will need around 194 billion dollars of additional funding per year to achieve the SDGs.

The President of the UN General Assembly believes that the continent's high percentage of young people can be "an important driver of transformative change", urging the international community to help the African continent and to continue investing in the areas of finance, science and technology.

"With more effective financial management, stronger domestic resource mobilization and better use of debate as a development tool, African economies can strengthen and sustain their growth," said Philémon Yang.

Yang also stressed the importance of finding political solutions to the ongoing conflicts in countries like Sudan and Somalia. "Promoting peace and advancing the rule of law in Africa requires a comprehensive strategy," said the president of the UN General Assembly, before stressing that "Africa must continue to grow".

(Photo DR)