Chakwera says SDGs are under threat in Malawi

President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are under threat in Malawi citing the worst cholera outbreak, Cyclones Ana and Gombe, drought in the Northern Region and the recent Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

Dr. Chakwera says Malawi needs decision and action on the climate financing and debt cancellation so that the money being drained by servicing debts can go towards rebuilding roads, schools, hospitals, businesses and livelihoods.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America (USA) during the general debate on Thursday, President Chakwera said as a family of the Least Developed Countries, Malawi has already lost two years of progress during the Decade of Action due to the economic shutdowns effected to contain Covid-19 and economic disruptions caused by the war in Eastern Europe.

President Chakwera assured delegates to the UNGA that Malawi is committed to continue implementing reforms and policies aimed at building economic resilience against shocks and engaging the United Nations (UN) and its development partners in mobilizing international support that goes beyond disaster management and seeks to build sustainability.

He said Malawi joins the United States in insisting that Africa must have permanent seats on the UN Security Council with veto power because without that level of inclusivity, rebuilding and global solidarity, will be a challenge.

“Malawi need a reformed United Nations because people need a new development paradigm beyond 2030,” said Chakwera.

He added that Malawi need a reformed UNs that takes on board the interests of the developing world in the spirit of true partnership and a paradigm that places partnership at the heart of quest for Sustainable Development Goals achievement.