Madagascar

Madam President of the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Honorable Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen, Tompokolahy sy Tompokovavy,

It is with sincere emotion that I represent my country, Madagascar, at our annual General Assembly within the United Nations, in this temple of multilateralism, our common home.

This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of our organization.

80 years… 80 years of keeping the flame of unity alive, of establishing peace, to build a just and united world.

80 years of the UN represent a stage, not a culmination.

And it is here, in this symbolic place — at the United Nations General Assembly — that we discuss, propose and decide the major directions for a peaceful and prosperous world. It is here that we find solutions to conflicts, and answers to crises. It is here that we chart the course of our common future.

Allow me to extend my warm congratulations to Ms. Annalena Baerbock on her election as President of this 80th General Assembly. Madam President, I wish you every success in carrying out your mandate. Be assured of Madagascar's full support in the accomplishment of your mission.

I would also like to greet the Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose commitment and leadership remind us of our mission, which is to place human beings at the heart of our actions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The UN has always carried an ideal: that of building together a world of peace, justice and hope.

This year's chosen theme, "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," reminds us that for several decades, the United Nations has brought together peoples and nations to promote peace, foster development and defend human rights.

Today, more than ever, we must reaffirm our collective commitment to building a future of solidarity, to meet these challenges. For it is by combining our strengths that we will be able to transform humanity's hopes into realities for all.

This theme is at the heart of our priorities, and it is indeed the reason why, from the very proclamation of our independence 65 years ago, Madagascar joined the UN. This reflects my country's conviction in the ideals of peace, solidarity and cooperation among peoples, championed by our Charter.

Today, to further strengthen this conviction, and for the continuity of the actions of the United Nations System in Madagascar, we are going to make available several thousand square meters of office space to host a hub for an expanded United Nations presence on Malagasy territory.

The challenges have evolved, but we continue to gauge the strength of this legacy and the need to adapt it to our daily realities. To name but a few: economic fractures, inequalities, and above all the impacts of climate change.

These threats weaken peace within our societies and require strong, common measures.

One of the demands of our century is that of the long-awaited development of our populations.

The mission of leaders is to create the conditions enabling every citizen to contribute to national development. This requires a vision grounded in an understanding of the country's realities, valuing its strengths and overcoming its difficulties.

Madagascar, like many African countries, possesses abundant natural wealth, and yet, development has been delayed for far too long. And it is precisely this delay that we are making up for today through the projects and programs we are carrying out to transform the country.

We must take charge of our own destiny and be the architects of historic change. Refusing fatalism, we commit to acting with conviction and determination.

It is in this spirit of inclusiveness and sharing that I address you today, not only on behalf of Madagascar, but also on behalf of a continent, and of our organization, in order to carry the voice of SADC, which brings together 16 countries of Southern Africa, and which I have the honor of chairing as President of our regional organization.

Our objective is to promote industrialization, the transformation of the agricultural system and the energy transition, in order to make our countries and our peoples more resilient.

Clear and forward-looking, this objective reflects our common ambition to strengthen our economies, enhance the value of our resources and ensure the well-being of our populations.

It is a pact. It is a commitment. It is the roadmap of a region that wants to write its own destiny with its own hands and for its own peoples.

Today, in the world we live in, wars take many forms.

There are armed wars, visible and bloody, which destroy infrastructure, entire cities, and take the lives of innocent people.

There is the war against pandemics, such as that of COVID-19, which we confronted together — a global battle that cost the lives of more than 14 million people.

And currently, there is another form of war, the economic and trade war, quieter but which could be just as destructive, since its impact could deprive millions of people of income, employment and a future.

What do all these wars have in common? They kill. Directly or indirectly. They weaken our societies, they threaten peace and human dignity.

That is why we must remain vigilant.

Today, a subject at the heart of current events touches us particularly. Because among the 16 countries making up the Southern African Development Community, or SADC, 14 are beneficiaries of the AGOA program.

AGOA, let me recall, is an American initiative that offers African countries preferential access to the United States market, promoting duty-free exports and stimulating trade.

And for the SADC region alone, this represents 358,000 direct jobs that are now under threat, 60% of them in the textile sector and the rest spread across various sectors.

The non-renewal of AGOA would have profound social consequences. The employability of thousands of young people, and the economic momentum of our nations, would be threatened.

Because today, thanks to AGOA, SADC countries export more than 11 billion dollars a year to the United States. Behind this figure, more than 1.7 million people are affected. So if AGOA disappears, more than 700,000 direct and indirect jobs could be lost in the Southern Africa region alone.

And behind every job there is a mother feeding her children. There is a young person pursuing their studies. There is a family holding on to hope.

AGOA is not simply a trade law. It is faces. Lives. Entire communities fighting every day for their dignity.

That is why, as sitting President of SADC, I solemnly request the extension of AGOA for our member countries in order to avoid disastrous economic and social consequences.

I make an appeal to our American partners: let us together choose stability, choose hope, choose dignity.

I plead for the continuation of a lasting partnership between the United States and the African continent. Preserving AGOA means preserving social peace in the countries that depend on it.

It also means protecting twenty years of progress, and guaranteeing a better future for our families and our youth.

We want fair trade, equitable partnerships, and shared prosperity.

We speak here, in the concert of Nations, of peace and security. Thus solidarity between Nations should not just be promises and speeches, but must translate into commitments that guarantee the daily lives of millions of families around the world.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our vision is clear. To develop our country through the promotion of industrialization, to produce and process locally everything our populations need. To reduce imports, innovate, build factories and value chains capable of creating decent and sustainable jobs.

In Madagascar, over the past 5 years, we have taken this path by installing infrastructure and semi-industrial parks throughout the national territory in order to stimulate growth.

I firmly believe that development comes through investment, by relying on the potential of each country, its human capital, and the political will of its leaders.

Moreover, agricultural transformation is the key to fighting poverty, because our food sovereignty is the foundation of our economic independence.

So let us today plant the seeds of prosperity and self-sufficiency, so that tomorrow, our peoples can feed themselves.

In Madagascar, in the field of agriculture, we have supported the transformation and enhancement of local products. We have initiated the process of mechanizing our agriculture and have supported our farmers by providing them with improved seeds and inputs. Our goal is to double or even triple agricultural yields, going from 3 to 9 tons per hectare, to achieve food self-sufficiency.

Finally, there is no development without reliable, accessible and affordable energy.

In Madagascar, we are accelerating the energy transition in order to achieve 70% green energy production by 2028. To do this, we are going to harness our immense solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential.

Because as you know, today, in many African countries as in Madagascar, electricity production still relies mainly on thermal power plants. This dependence on fossil fuels carries an enormous economic cost.

Investing in renewable energy is therefore not only an obligation but a duty for a sustainable and inclusive future.

In just 6 years, the rate of access to electricity in my country has risen from 24% to 40%. Notable progress has been made, but much remains to be done. We will further intensify our efforts to increase clean energy production so that isolated rural populations are not left behind.

In this context, collaboration with the United Nations system plays an essential role in promoting projects that have an impact on rural communities. These initiatives illustrate a determination to build a more equitable, sustainable and innovative energy future.

Finally, building modern infrastructure is an essential step for the country's economic and tourism development.

From East to West, from North to South, Madagascar is transforming.

We have launched the project to build the country's first highway, connecting Antananarivo to the major port on the eastern side of the island.

We have modernized public transport in the capital through the construction of cable car transport and also the introduction of an urban train. This will help decongest the city by transporting more than 40,000 passengers a day at full capacity, thereby reducing traffic by 2,000 vehicles daily.

Furthermore, we have strengthened the presence of the state in all localities of the country, especially the most remote, through the construction of infrastructure close to the population and that it needs.

• We have built thousands of social housing units.
• We have modernized healthcare through the construction of public hospitals and basic health centers throughout the national territory. Whereas the country had only 16 university hospital centers until 2018, we have tripled that number by building 30 new referral hospitals in just 6 years.
• We have supported entrepreneurship among young people and women to promote their empowerment.
• We have built stadiums and sports grounds, which are becoming places of cohesion, national pride and empowerment for youth.

Moreover, the holding of the Youthconnekt Summit in Madagascar in November is part of this commitment to youth in favor of equality and inclusion — and for which we already invite you to participate in large numbers.

• Finally, from the perspective of social protection, more than 250 million dollars have been transferred directly to the most vulnerable families to improve their daily lives.

These achievements reflect our determination to build a country that is united, connected and forward-looking.

But the demographic dividend remains a variable that must be factored into the equation. We must change the structure of the population, because current population growth is not proportional to economic growth.

In certain regions, girls under 18 are already mothers, and most women find themselves with an average of five to eight children to care for. They have greater difficulty feeding, raising, caring for and properly educating them.

That is why we have intensified the family planning program to manage births and transform a currently dependent population into an active and economically productive population. Demography will become an asset for Madagascar rather than a brake on development.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

If we want to offer a better future to our children, we must protect the Planet that shelters us.

Madagascar is a sanctuary of nature. With 5% of the world's biodiversity and species that are 80% endemic, it absolutely must be protected. And as in other regions of the globe, these treasures are in danger.

Facing deforestation and climate hazards, island countries like ours suffer the consequences of global warming. Cyclones are becoming more and more frequent. They follow one another and are increasingly devastating. Floods destroy our fields and endanger farmers' harvests and incomes.

Madagascar is one of the countries suffering the consequences of climate change.

Our planet is burning, our ecosystems are degrading, while action and financing are not keeping pace. It is high time to act. We have made our observations. Now, let us act together.

That is why we call once again for climate justice, so that polluting countries take responsibility, and that the financing promised for adaptation is actually delivered.

We have already reaffirmed our commitment to preserving this common heritage with a massive reforestation program, planting millions of trees each year. Thus, Madagascar has joined the Coalition of carbon-neutral countries, "G-Zero," and positions itself as a model actor.

We have also strengthened the protection of our protected areas. Our ambition is to restore our forests, develop the green and blue economy.

Excellencies, dear leaders from around the world,

Here and now, from this august podium, I call for unity and action.

The time is no longer for reflection… but for concerted strategies.

The time is no longer for dependence… but for sovereign self-assertion.

The time is no longer for slowness… but for acceleration, boldness and efficiency.

Our mission is our reason for being. Our destiny. A destiny aimed at improving the daily lives of citizens, touching every life, every child, every mother.

So let us ask ourselves the question: What world do we choose for our children and for the future of the next generation?

For my people, for progress, I will never cease deploying every means to accelerate the transformation of my country.

Go faster. Go further. With courage, with hope.

Yes, the task is immense, and the expectations of the population are great. But we know one thing: division is not a solution. Confrontation breeds instability.

So let us choose unity. Let us choose solidarity. Let us choose to build, rather than destroy.

Because every child has the right to dream, and every people the right to hope.

So let us move forward, united, standing, together. Let us move forward toward the world we want.

I dream, for my country, for Madagascar, for Southern Africa, for the African continent and for all the voices still little heard, of a future where:

• peace always prevails over war,
• where development benefits every human being,
• where fundamental rights are never negotiable,
• and where nature is preserved as our most sacred heritage.

So YES, we will be better together: for peace, for development and for future generations.

Because history has taught us…

That when we choose unity, we push back instability.

When we cultivate solidarity, we cause prosperity to grow.

So that the next eight decades may be marked by governance that is fairer, more inclusive and more effective worldwide.

Long live the United Nations,

Long live cooperation among peoples,

And long live Madagascar.

Ary samia isika rehetra ho tahin'Andriamanitra! And may God bless us.

Thank you.