Nearly 300 of the Africa’s leading decisions makers attended a keynote address by President Higgins at the UN Economic Commission for Africa today.
The president covered a number of themes relating to Africa, including food security, human rights and the threat of the Ebola virus.
“The most immediate challenge to the stability of this continent is of course the Ebola crisis, which is devastating parts of West Africa.
“I am, like everybody here, horrified by the tragic loss of life and on behalf of the Irish people I want to pay tribute to the courageous health workers - doctors and nurses who have responded and I know will continue to respond in the battle to contain the virus”, he said.
“It is essential that every possible effort is put in place to get a grip with the virus before it threatens the prosperity that Africa had begun to enjoy.”
“We should recognise very clearly that Ebola is a disease that thrives on poverty, indeed the conditions that facilitate the tragic spread of the disease are underpinned by poor health services, migration from rural areas that are unable to sustain the livelihoods of an expanding population.”
President Higgins addresses UN Economic Commission for Africa Image: Fennell Photography
The president also focused on the refugee crisis emanating out of neighbouring South Sudan, and strongly condemned the policies of some countries in not supporting those fleeing volatile, life-threatening areas.
“This situation is a moral scandal; there can be no resolution to this defining issue of our times without a sharing of responsibilities; instead of what Pope Francis has defined at the current globalisation of indifference.
“What would have happened to the Irish people, had they been denied the possibility to emigrate in order to escape starvation at home?”
Speaking after the speech, Xavier Furtado, Ethiopian representative for the World Bank, said the speech “I was pleased to hear him speak about inequality; we are most interested in ensuring that people have the best chance they can towards improving their livelihoods; whether they be citizens of the country they’re in, or refugees in another country”.
“He is reflecting ideas that many of us haven’t heard in a very long time, and it was a privilege to hear a leader of his stature speaking in those terms – about the need for plurality and learning, and opportunities for the world’s most marginalised”.
