UN Deputy Sec Gen urges Nigeria to key into UN Global Compact Initiative

* Global Compact hub to be established in Abuja

Amina Mohammed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The United Nation, (UN) Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina Mohammed has commended the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN) on its 50th Anniversary, in job creation through the advocacy and result oriented services it provides to its members.

Mohammed, who spoke virtually as a distinguished guest and lead speaker, gave the commendation during a high level conversation on industrialization and sustainable development held in Lagos, today  with the theme: Industrialization: A Pathway to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs) and urged MAN to engage with the UN Global Compact, in the context of this new Africa strategy.

She explained that the UN Global Compact is a special initiative of the UN Secretary General dedicated to promoting sustainable business.

“The Global Compact has a local network in nature, which will grow in the coming years. Additionally, as part of the Global Compact New Africa strategy, a hub will be established in Abuja, to support business across the continent in our joint efforts to achieve the SDGs,” she said.

Mohammed lamented that COVID-19 has derailed progress across all 17 SDGs, adding that in 2020, 124 million people will be pushed back into poverty and some 255 million jobs will be lost worldwide.

She posited that a sustainable recovery must be guided by the SDGs, noting that the United Nations stands ready to support Nigeria in harnessing industry, and making progress towards the goals.

In her words: “I encouraged MAN to engage with the Global Compact, in the context of this new Africa strategy. So business can effectively help move the needle of a sustainable recovery for Nigeria, and the continent.

“Nigeria also stands to benefit greatly from the African continental free trade area, which will improve the quality of goods and services, and increase nature’s competitiveness in national and international markets.

”MAN support will be crucial in ensuring nature takes profit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution by accelerating digital expansion and promoting green industries, while participating in the third Industrial Development decade for Africa.

“Finally to consume responsibly, we also need to promote sustainable industrial production through the circular economy and efficient use of resources to reach zero waste as called for by SDG seven, nine and 12 to achieve the 2030 agenda.”

Earlier, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr, Mansur Ahmed, represented by the Vice President, Eastern Zone, Chief Chukwuemeka Nzewi welcomed the guest speaker and the panelists, describing industrialisation as a key component in the development of any economy.

 

 

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