Malawi lobbies support for poor countries

Malawi has lobbied developed countries to support Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in resolving multiple challenges that continue to stifle their advancement.

Vice-President Saulos Chilima made the appeal in his speech delivered on Monday on behalf of LDCs at the ongoing United Nations Economic and Social Council Forum for Financing Development in New York.

In the speech made available to The Nation, he said LDCs are struggling with severe effects of conflicts, climate change and Covid-19 which has affected, among others, economies thereby rendering them desperate for assistance.

Chilima said: “The world economy has already undergone a radical and irreversible turbulence. There are global menaces that are equally threatening.

“These include inequality, high inflation, digital divide, food and renewable energy insecurity, global supply chain disruptions and volatility in commodity and financial markets, just to name a few.”

In this regard, he said there must be vaccine equity for effective recovery. Besides, he said the other areas where support is needed include restoration of economic growth, achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), debt relief, increased grants-based official development assistance and other financing support as well as for the developed countries to deliver in full of on a $100 billion goal for climate financing.

The Vice-President also said there is need for the World Trade Organisation to expeditiously implement decisions in favour of LDCs as they have been facing challenges in the face of Covid-19 and the Russia and Ukraine war.

Apart from that, Chilima also appealed for at least $100 billion of the Special Drawing Rights for the LDCs. The SDR has an allocation of $650 billion but LDCs in need of such support are entitled to only receive $15 billion.

With around 73 percent of the LDCs population out of Internet access, Chilima stressed on the need to close the digital divide.

Last month, President Lazarus Chakwera also attended a conference for LDCs in New York where the US Government pledged to continue supporting Malawi’s development in various sectors, including the rule of law, human rights and implementation of Malawi 2063. In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed Chakwera’s strong leadership, particularly in pursuing reforms for a stronwg democratic foundation including the ongoing efforts to fight corruption.