Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 19 November 2024

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE FOR WORLD TOILET DAY

19 November 2024

Toilets are fundamental to promoting human health, spurring development, and helping all people, especially women and girls, live their lives in dignity.

But too many members of the human family live without this basic human right. At the current rate, 3 billion people will still live without safely managed sanitation by 2030.

This year’s World Toilet Day shines a light on the threats to sanitation posed by conflict, climate change, disasters and neglect. 

I urge all governments to support the United Nations Strategy for Water and Sanitation, prioritize clean water and sanitation across budgets, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure that can protect these systems in the face of extreme weather.

We must work to expand assistance to developing countries — through both financing and technology — to build and maintain these life-sustaining systems.

And all parties to conflict must stop targeting sanitation and water infrastructure. 

Let’s spare no effort to meet our commitment to water and sanitation for all, and ensure that every person in the world can realize this fundamental right. 

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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFRICA INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY

20 November 2024

On Africa Industrialization Day, we celebrate the inspiring progress and economic growth the continent has achieved over the decades.

From the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to the continent’s young, innovative and entrepreneurial population, to Africa’s growing leadership in renewable energy, Africa is fast-becoming an integrated global economic force across diverse sectors.

This year’s theme emphasizes the enormous potential of emerging technologies — especially artificial intelligence — to power African growth in green manufacturing.

Artificial intelligence can sharpen the continent’s competitive edge in green manufacturing — boosting productivity, job-creation and African prosperity — while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In September, leaders adopted the Global Digital Compact to enhance global cooperation and capacity-building in groundbreaking technologies like artificial intelligence. The Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of artificial intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table. It also highlights how digital public infrastructure — like digital payment systems — can boost economic activity and regional integration. 

I urge Africa to seize this opportunity to harness the transformative potential of technology, and drive inclusive and environmentally conscious development and economic growth.

The United Nations proudly stands with all Africans in this essential effort.

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