UNITED
NATIONS, Apr 17 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that debt
relief must be an important part of Africa’s response to the coronavirus
pandemic, while cautioning that the African continent could end up suffering
the greatest impacts.
“The crisis
has wide-ranging implications”, said the UN Chief, delivering remarks at a
meeting with leaders of the African Group of countries on Wednesday. “This is
in no way of Africa’s making. But as with the climate crisis, the African
continent could end up suffering the greatest impacts.”
“Debt
relief”, he said, “must be an important part of the response.”
“The UN will
continue to advocate for debt relief for Africa, including non-IDA
(International Development Association) countries who cannot service their
debt,” Guterres declared.
“Debt relief
from non-Paris Club official creditors and London Club commercial creditors
should also be part of the consideration,” he added.
The Paris
Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to
find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties
experienced by debtor countries. The London Club is an informal group of
private creditors on the international stage, and is similar to the Paris Club of
public lenders.
The
secretary-general said that the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
is also working closely with African countries in key areas, from briefing the
African Union’s Peace and Security Council on the coronavirus’ impacts and helping
develop food readiness plans, to calling on the international community,
together with African finance ministers, for a debt relief package.
“All efforts
must be aimed at the common enemy, as we brace for the expected spread of the
pandemic in Africa. This is in no way of Africa’s making. But as with the
climate crisis, the African continent could end up suffering the greatest
impacts,” the UN chief said.
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