During the 2024 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers Lecture, Irish President Michael D. Higgins stressed the urgent need to address climate change and debt reform to help Africa grow.

Speaking from Áras Uachtaráin, Higgins highlighted how issues like food security, poverty, and deep-rooted inequalities impact African nations.

He called for moving away from temporary aid solutions to tackling the root causes of these problems, advocating for a new model of globalization that centers on local needs and voices.

President Higgins spoke of a vision for “globalisation from below,” which empowers local communities to shape their own path to development.

He argued that food security should be considered a basic universal right, essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

By focusing on development that is inclusive and sustainable, he believes African nations can build stronger economies that honor their unique cultures and goals.

A large part of Higgins’ speech focused on the severe debt crisis many African countries face.

He pointed out that debt payments are draining national budgets, with nearly half of public funds going to pay debts instead of critical areas like health and education.

This, he said, has devastating effects: children go hungry, healthcare systems are failing, and the environment suffers.

In some low-income countries, debt payments are two-thirds higher than what they spend on social services, showing a serious need for change in how international finance works.

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Higgins urged the global community to make solving this debt crisis a top priority. He backed proposals from organizations like Debt Relief International to limit debt payments to 15% of national budgets.

This reform could free up about $100 billion each year for social and environmental programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, allowing countries to invest in sustainable growth instead of being stuck in debt cycles.

The lecture also covered the impact of ongoing conflicts on Africa’s food security. Higgins brought attention to the “forgotten war” in Sudan, warning it could cause one of the world’s largest hunger crises if a ceasefire is not reached.

He also mentioned other conflict areas, like Gaza and Lebanon, where food shortages are made worse by violence and instability.

Higgins’ remarks echo ongoing discussions about global responsibility for climate change and support for developing nations.

His call for urgent action aligns with recent appeals from African leaders at global summits, who stress the need for systemic reforms in international finance to support development and climate efforts.

The Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers Lecture series encourages dialogue on important global issues.

This year’s lecture underscored the value of international cooperation in addressing interconnected challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality.

President Higgins concluded by urging world leaders to renew their commitment to working together, emphasizing that only through joint action can we create a sustainable future for all.

By pushing for a new model of globalization that respects local needs and rights, Higgins shared a hopeful vision for how nations can work together to build a more fair and sustainable world.