APM urges regional, global markets to fulfil WTO aspirations

President Peter Mutharika has said it is imperative that regional and global markets should be free of distortions such as subsidies, tariffs and non-tariff barriers in order to live up to the aspirations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Development Agenda.

The President, in his speech delivered at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate in New York, United States of America (USA) on Tuesday which has been provided to Weekend Nation by State House Press Office, said the global community must realise that it is only by taking such steps that African countries will be able to produce and add value to their commodities.

He also said the move will generate the necessary jobs to retain the youths in the continent and propel the African countries economies to sustainable growth and prosperity.

“Without investments in these areas, it will continue to be a challenge to stop the youths from the African continent to take upon themselves desperate and dangerous options to cross the oceans and seas to developed economies.

“Such investments will also reduce the risk of our youth being lured into radicalism and extremism, with the attendant threat to domestic and international peace and security. I must underline that poverty in African communities is a danger to the global community because poverty and the disenchantment of the youths can be an easy source of radicalisation,” said Mutharika.

The 71st UNGA began on September 13 under the theme “Sustainable Development Goals: a Universal Push to Transform the World”.