2nd Project Promotion Conference of Energy Cooperation under the AU-China Energy Partnership

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube

H.E. Mr. Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, Permanent Representative of the African Union to China,

Mr. Li Sheng, Director-General, China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,         

I thank the African Union Permanent Mission to China and the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute for the invitation to join the 2nd Project Promotion Conference of Energy Cooperation under the AU-China Energy Partnership. 

Affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is a prerequisite for economic growth and sustainable development, and enhanced cooperation between China and the African Union has the potential to accelerate both parties’ progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As we confront the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, we must reorient our focus to clean energy. The green energy transition is not just an environmental imperative, it is essential for sustainable economic growth and social development. By recognizing the connections between our economies and our shared responsibilities in combatting climate change, we can facilitate the transition to greener development and a low-carbon future through more South-South cooperation. 

Having previously served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, I had the privilege of seeing the remarkable achievements of China-Africa cooperation in recent years. From the Dakar Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change in 2021, to the significant outcomes of the African Climate Summit in Nairobi in 2023 and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan from just last month, China-Africa cooperation continues to strengthen and be a key contributor to both China’s and Africa’s development.

The recent FOCAC Summit in Beijing last month highlighted both parties’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in clean energy. Key initiatives emphasized support for Africa’s energy needs and the development of a roadmap for enhancing energy collaboration, particularly renewable energy, across the continent.

At the Beijing FOCAC Summit, UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres said, “Investments are game-changing. China’s partnership with the African continent is the main pillar of South-South cooperation and this is essential to drive progress on shared development goals.” 

The potential benefits of clean energy cooperation are immense. Aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063, clean energy technologies can facilitate electricity access in remote areas and stimulate local economies. Investments in renewable energy projects address immediate energy needs and pave the way for a sustainable, prosperous, and more resilient future.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement are facing significant challenges, especially as many African countries grapple with high debt burdens and limited investment in sustainable development.

The UN in China remains a strong supporter of China-Africa cooperation and looks forward to strengthening our support of this partnership to advance progress on the SDGs and to ensure that no one is left behind.

Here, the UN, as a convener and connector, will seek to bring together stakeholders, forge new partnerships, and ensure that we leverage the strengths of every sector of society.

Technical exchange, experience sharing, and capacity building are critical components of South-South cooperation and will help us further support sustainable development in Africa and China. The vibrant growth of the Global South provides unprecedented opportunities for South-South cooperation to play a stronger role in supporting countries’ sustainable development progress. 

As we look towards the future, let us ensure that the China-Africa relationship continues to strengthen, supporting accelerated sustainable development across the African continent, leading to a greener, more prosperous and more equitable future and ensuring that the ambitions of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 are achieved.

I wish the conference every success and look forward to expanding our support to this important partnership and advancing our collective efforts toward a greener, more prosperous world.

Thank you.