Despite Africa is facing multifaceted problems that hinder economic developments such as macro- economic deficit including foreign currency crunch, trade deficit, inflation, debt service and illegal trade, the continent is struggling to embark on the right track. Though some progress witnessed, the vulnerability of agriculture sector which is the main stay of the continent’s economy to extreme climate conditions made the path to development rocky.
In her opening remarks of the 10th session of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development recently took place here in the capital, president Sahilework Zewdie said that Africa has faced multiple and interlocking challenges in recent years. The continent has experienced the lingering effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, devastating impacts of climate change, geopolitical tensions, economic instability and extreme poverty among other pressing challenges.
These crises have worsened existing vulnerabilities proportionally affecting the most marginalized and impoverished communities across the globe particularly in the African continent. “These impediments have hindered our progress towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and reversed our hard won gains. Obviously the enormous challenges the continent is facing today demand the continent’s resolute commitment to eradicating poverty and ensure the effective delivery of sustainable resilient and innovative solutions. So prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable groups and ensures is essential,” she said.
The SDG’s intentions are guided by the principles of equity, solidarity and sustainability. As to the President, there are three key areas that seek undivided attention and intervention of concerned bodies in Africa.
First, it is important to recognize that poverty eradication is a top priority and requires holistic and integrated approach for substantial investment in peace building, quality education, health care infrastructure and sustainable means of livelihood focusing on women and using empowerment.
This comprehensive approach ensures that tackling the root causes not the symptoms of poverty is a primary issue. By addressing this fundamental challenge, governments can establish a solid foundation for sustainable development.
Second, it is of utmost importance that recognizing innovation as the powerful force in the March toward this sustainable development. It would be practical catalyzing transformative change, accelerating progress and unlocking new opportunities for inclusive development and poverty eradication by harnessing the power of innovation.
Third, as to the president, it is crucial to demonstrate nations’ unwavering commitment to regenerating adequate resources to finance their development plans in light of this. It is essential to encourage saving and work towards the reform of multilateral financial institutions by actively engaging in collective multilateral efforts so that, countries in need receive the necessary resources to finance their development.
Ethiopia has made significant progress in mobilizing the domestic and international resources for rapid and sustained economic growth and development. In fact, it appears one of the few African countries that have registered impressive results in implementing the goals of agenda 2063 specially in mobilizing innovative financing. This experience would be benchmarked for accelerated implementation of the remaining goals of the strategic plan.
The African Economic Commission commissioner, Hanan Morsey (PhD) on her part said that, the Africa We Want, of the African Union has been hampered by numerous crises. If the two agenda 2030 and 2063 are to be rescued in Africa, fundamental changes in the structure of regional economies and a redesigned global financing architecture are critical. In line with this objective, the theme of the 2024 high-level political forum on sustainable development will be “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises”.
The performance of Africa in Climate change has resulted in weather and climate extremes around Poverty is multidimensional and caused by underlying structural challenges. The chief drivers of poverty in Africa include lack of access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, health and education services; inequality; infrastructure gaps; climate change; ethnic conflict; and limited employment opportunities.
Since the mid-2010s, Africa has made modest progress in reducing the proportion of the population living below the global poverty line of 2.15 USD per day. Poverty levels in sub-Saharan Africa fell from 38.5 % in 2015 to 35.4 % in 2019. Nevertheless, in 2022, Africa accounted for more than half (54.8 %) of people living in poverty worldwide.
The levels of absolute poverty have increased by 74 % 1990, with East and West Africa accounting for about 73 % of the impoverished people on the continent. It is proved that gainful employment is a pathway to improving living standards. However, the proportion of the employed population of Africa that falls below the global poverty line is higher than the proportion for the world as a whole.
North and Southern Africa have the lowest proportions among African sub regions. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation services is a human right and is fundamental to dignity, health, prosperity, food security and prospects of making a living.
The proportion of the population of Sub Saharan Africa using basic drinking water services increased from 58.95 % in 2015 to 65.03 % in 2019, but it was below the corresponding proportions of the overall global population, which were 88.36 % and 91.18 %, respectively. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest levels of access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in the world.
Less than 35 % of the population of sub-Saharan Africa had access to basic sanitation services between 2015 and 2022. The lowest proportions of the population using basic sanitation services were recorded in Central and East Africa.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) grants specifically for poverty reduction in Africa ranged from about 0.06 to 0.07 % of the gross national income of African countries between 2015 and 2021. Of the sub regions, East Africa received a higher proportion of ODA grants for poverty reduction, followed by Central Africa and West Africa
The globe is evidenced by the increase in frequency and severity of heat waves, heavy precipitation, wildfires, droughts and tropical cyclones. This is having serious effects on the safety and health of workers, who are frequently the first to be exposed to these hazards, often for longer periods and at greater intensities than the general population.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), climate change related hazards have been linked to numerous health effects, including injuries, cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, macular degeneration and mental health issues. The financial implications are also considerable, due to lost productivity, business disruptions and damaged infrastructure.
It further stated that “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate” presents critical evidence related to six key impacts of climate change which were chosen for their severity and the magnitude of their effects on workers: excessive heat, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, extreme weather events, workplace air pollution, vector-borne diseases and changes in agrochemical use. It includes the most pertinent evidence regarding worker exposures and the main safety and health impacts.
The ILO has already developed tripartite responses to protect workers from many of these risks, in the form of international labor standards, codes of practice and technical guidelines specifically related to safety.
These instruments can strengthen adaptation frameworks by providing the legal foundation for addressing climate-related risks. The fundamental Occupational Safety and Health /OSH/ conventions Nos. 155 and 187 constitute a blueprint for the progressive realization of the fundamental principle and right at work of a safe and healthy working environment, including by protecting workers from workplace hazards and risks associated with climate change.
The recently adopted ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health 2024-30 emphasizes that OSH concerns related to climate change should be positioned high on global and national policy agendas, with key partnerships secured at national and international levels.
The ILO 2015 Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for all identify as one of the key policy areas to address the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the transition.
The ILO is involved in a number of initiatives which are linked to climate change and just transition. For example, the Vision Zero Fund, a G-7 initiative that aims to reduce accidents, injuries and diseases in supply chains is implementing a range of activities to address the impacts respect of Sustainable Development Goals.
BY ABEBE WOLDEGIORGIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2024
