Speakers in the General Assembly called for stronger African ownership of Africa’s vast resources, fairer international partnerships and greater investment, warning that illicit financial flows, mounting debt and declining development assistance continue to undermine the continent’s progress.
In other business, the 193-member Assembly adopted four resolutions, endorsing landmark declarations on sea level rise, combating racial discrimination and pandemic prevention, while also allowing Sao Tome and Principe to retain its voting rights despite unpaid contributions.
Turning first to sustainable development in Africa, Assembly President Khalilur Rahman (Bangladesh), said the continent’s development journey has undergone a decisive shift towards transformation “shaped, owned and led by Africa”. Citing the Secretary-General’s reports before the Assembly (documents A/81/297, A/81/298 and A/81/305), he warned that Africa’s challenge is “not a lack of resources” but a “sovereignty deficit”.
Estimated at $2.1 trillion, this deficit leaves Africa a net exporter of capital despite its vast wealth, Mr. Rahman continued. Calling for a shift “from short-term extraction to long-term stewardship”, he emphasized investment in education, health, and decent work, stressing that “Africa’s greatest asset is its people”. He also urged stronger institutions, action against illicit financial flows and fairer international partnerships, noting that development assistance to Africa fell by 23.9 per cent in 2025.
Africa’s Critical Minerals, Human Potential, Financial Assets Must Support Its Own Transformation
Pointing to the “sovereignty deficit” limiting African countries’ capacity to negotiate fair agreements, retain revenues and realize the full value of their resources, Namibia’s representative, speaking for the African Group, said that Africa’s natural resources, human potential and financial assets “must support its own transformation”.
Critical minerals must generate opportunities beyond extraction, including local processing, technology transfer, industrialization and jobs, he stressed. Resource wealth must also improve schools, health services, infrastructure and social protection, while ensuring communities share fairly in the benefits. Africa’s progress would be measured by “the industries we build, the employment we create and the lasting benefits delivered to African people”, he said.
Drawing on Zambia’s experience, that country’s speaker said that “macroeconomic stabilization must be sustained through expanded production, investment and jobs”, urging predictable climate financing that does not compound existing debt burdens. South Africa’s representative said global competition for critical minerals and rare earths puts Africa in an “enviable position”, as he urged investment in industrial and manufacturing capacity to process resources locally. Egypt’s delegate, echoing that sentiment, said the continent’s challenge is “its ability to manage its resources, maintain revenues from these resources and invest these revenues in its development”.
African Peace, Sustainable Development Are Mutually Reinforcing; Countries Highlight Financial Support, Investment in Continent
Angola’s representative stressed that peace and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. “Africa's transformation requires African-led solutions, capable institutions and sustainable international cooperation to translate its strategic assets into shared prosperity and durable peace”, he said. Rwanda’s delegate welcomed the UN’s commitment to remembrance, education and genocide prevention, stressing that commemorations must “go beyond ceremonies and reports” to inspire preventive action. More than three decades after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda is still seeking over 1,000 suspected perpetrators, he representative noted.
Some countries highlighted their financial support and investment in the continent, with the representative of the European Union saying “Team Europe” had mobilized €120 billion for African projects, supporting sustainable industrialization, infrastructure and decent jobs. “Lasting peace and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing,” she stressed. The representative of Kuwait noted his country’s $1 billion in concessional loans through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the annual $1 million Al-Sumait Prize supporting health, education and food security.
The Russian Federation’s representative warned of external actors’ negative role on the African continent which continues today in the Confederation of Sahel States, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo and other hotspots. This external interference in the continent’s resource-rich countries has undermined their potential to build an effective industrial base and develop their people. “The unfortunate legacy of the colonial era should not be passed over in silence,” he added.
Assembly Endorses Landmark Declarations on Sea Level Rise, Combating Racial Discrimination, Preparing for Pandemics
Also today, the Assembly adopted three resolutions endorsing political declarations adopted at recent high-level meetings.
The text “United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise” (document A/81/L.3), adopted without a vote, formally endorsed the declaration approved at the 24 September high-level meeting that calls for urgent, coordinated international action to address sea level rise’s impact, particularly on small island developing States and vulnerable coastal communities. That includes strengthening climate adaptation, protecting livelihoods, preserving maritime rights and enhancing international cooperation to address sea level rise’s humanitarian, economic and legal consequences.
Adopting the text “Political declaration of the high-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action” (document A/81/L.4), by a recorded vote of 95 in favour to 5 against (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel), with 37 abstentions, the Assembly formally endorsed the political declaration adopted at the 28 September high-level meeting on the matter. It calls for renewed political will, stronger national legislation and action plans, greater accountability and international cooperation to eliminate systemic discrimination, protect the rights of affected communities and address historical injustices.
With 153 votes in favour to 3 against (Argentina, Israel, United States) and 2 abstentions (New Zealand, Paraguay), the Assembly adopted the text “Political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response” (document A/81/L.6), formally endorsing the declaration considered at the 25 September high-level meeting on the importance of strengthening global health systems, improving pandemic preparedness, and enhancing international cooperation to prevent, detect and respond to future health emergencies. The declaration emphasizes equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, particularly in developing countries, alongside sustainable financing and more resilient public health systems.
Sao Tome and Principe Retains Voting Rights through Application of Article 19
Also today, the Assembly adopted without a vote the resolution “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations: requests under Article 19 of the Charter” (document A/C.5/81/L.2), but decided not to consider the eponymous report of its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) (document A/81/387). The Assembly determined that Sao Tome and Principe’s failure to pay the minimum amount necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 was due to circumstances beyond its control, allowing the country to retain its voting rights in the General Assembly until the end of its eighty-first session.
Appointment of New Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services
And the Assembly approved the appointment of Isabelle Mercier of Canada as Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services for one fixed term of five years, beginning on 1 December 2026 and ending on 30 November 2031.