The Executive Director of Bright Light Projects (BLP) Mr. Franco Bonghan has described his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly as a life-changing opportunity and experience that will go on to help them achieve more things.
Mr. Bonghan addressed the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on July 20, 2022, during a joint special High-Level Dialogue organized by The President of the General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The event is dedicated to assessing progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as well as the delivery of the commitments made toward Africa’s development.
Bright Light Projects was selected as one of the Civil Society organizations with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council to help deliver and shape a renewed framework for Africa as a priority of the United Nations System.
“One of the key objectives of this meeting was to renew the commitment to Africa’s development including supporting key actions in the context of recovering and building back better from the health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic while taking into account the impact of the current geopolitical challenges on the continent’s food and energy and security” Mr. Franco Bonghan who addressed the UN General Assembly on the topic: ‘Domestic resource mobilization, innovative financing and global partnerships for recovery and progress on the SDGs and Agenda 2063’, said.
He highlighted key issues in Localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals; the need for job creation hubs to solve Africa’s youth unemployment; Debt Relief, and Debt restructuring; Support for Rural Women and Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs); Foreign Direct Investment and Microcredit as well as Women empowerment as a catalyst to Climate Change.
He also stated that recovery efforts in the continent should be people-centered, and inclusive across all sectors, providing the infrastructure, innovation, and the enabling environment for growth.
“Progress on the SDGs and Agenda 2063 cannot be achieved with a large segment of African Youths unprepared to lead the continent to prosperity”
“Unemployed and struggling African Youth will not only be a direct threat to internal security and peace but also foreign investors cannot be assured of a peaceful business climate” Franco Bonghan concluded” Mr. Bonghan added.
The dialogue is part of the annual Africa Dialogue Series organized by the African Union and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA).
The Africa Dialogue Series provides a global platform for examining and debating critical issues for Africa’s sustainable development, peace, and security.
