A major point raised by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the United Nations “Summit of the Future,” held at the UN Headquarters in New York, was the urgent need to reform the United Nations Security Council.
He described it as an “outdated, post-Second World War relic.”
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the glaring underrepresentation of Africa, which is home to 1.4 billion people, in the Council. He called for the implementation of the Ezulwini Consensus, which outlines Africa’s stance on UN reform.
“Africa’s voice must be heard in shaping the future of global peace and security,” the President asserted, adding that the current global governance structure is rooted in an unjust and unequal world order. He urged for bold reforms to ensure that every nation, regardless of size or wealth, has an equal voice on the international stage.
In his passionate appeal for global unity, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged world leaders to adopt multilateral solutions to address pressing issues such as climate change, inequality, and global governance reform.
Speaking to an assembly of Heads of State, government officials, and delegates from around the world, he stressed the urgency of collective action, noting that the future is not distant but is shaped by current decisions.
“Our theme, ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ reminds us that no nation, no matter how powerful, can tackle today’s challenges alone,” the President remarked.
He highlighted the global nature of current crises, such as the climate emergency and terrorism, which transcend national boundaries and require global cooperation.
President Akufo-Addo condemned the rise of “irrational isolationism and blind nationalism” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that the pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of all nations and demonstrated that unilateral approaches to global challenges are destined to fail.
Central to the President’s address was the escalating climate crisis, particularly Africa’s disproportionate suffering.
Despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, Africa faces severe consequences from climate change, including devastating flooding and increasing desertification. He issued a strong call for “climate justice,” insisting that Africa should not bear the costs of a crisis it did not create.
“We are told to ‘adapt’ and ‘be resilient,’ but how can one adapt to famine or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons?” President Akufo-Addo questioned.
He emphasized the need for fairness and equity in the global fight against climate change, asserting that Africa requires justice, not charity.
The President also highlighted the growing inequality between rich and poor nations, noting that over 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, lacking basic human rights.
“The pandemic worsened this inequality, pushing millions more into poverty while the wealth of the richest surged.
This is unsustainable and immoral,” he remarked. He called for a new global economic order that promotes inclusivity and ensures that no nation is left behind.
In concluding his speech, President Akufo-Addo urged leaders to act with urgency and determination, emphasizing that future generations would judge current leadership by its actions.
“The world is watching. The future is watching. We cannot be the generation that stood by as the world burned, while inequality deepened and promises of justice remained unfulfilled.”
With a powerful call for bold, decisive action, President Akufo-Addo’s address encapsulated the spirit of the summit’s theme—multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow—and challenged the international community to rise to the occasion.
As the world continues to face crises that require global solutions, the President’s speech served as a reminder of the necessity for cooperation and the shared responsibility to secure a better future for all.
