Talking Points for ECA Executive Secretary, Mr. Claver Gatete
HLPF Side Event: Harnessing Partnerships for Accelerated Poverty Reduction Across Africa
Date: 6 July 2026 | Time: 14:30 – 16:00 | Venue: Conference Room C, UNHQ
1. Opening: The Challenge
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Excellencies, colleagues, distinguished delegates, it is an honour to join you today for this timely discussion on one of the most defining challenges for Africa: Eradicating poverty in all its forms everywhere.
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Across the African continent and according to latest UN and World Bank estimates, around 600 million people are considered multidimensionally poor while more than 582 million live in extreme monetary poverty.
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As part of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, eradicating poverty is the first and most defining goal of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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The Doha Declaration “reaffirms that eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.”
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The Pact for the Future
affirms that poverty is not just about income – it is about dignity, opportunity and justice.
2. Persistent Challenges across Africa
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Home to the highest number of multidimensionally poor people, Africa accounts for the highest share in poor people across all world regions.
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African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are the most affected, with more than four in five people living in multidimensional poverty in some countries, such as in the Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger.
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In LDCs of the Sahel and Central Africa very high levels of multidimensional poverty are compounded by armed conflict and climate-related shocks.
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Together, these factors continue to result in the loss of human lives, mass displacements, and widespread human suffering.
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Furthermore, most African LDCs have witnessed a rise in the number of multidimensionally poor and extreme poor populations – adding to the burden on already limited domestic resources earmarked for social protection and Labor market policies.
3. There Are Reasons for Optimism
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The good news is, that many African countries – including several African LDCs – have made significant progress in reducing the many forms of poverty.
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ECA's latest analysis of multidimensional poverty trends over the past two decades suggests that Liberia, Lesotho, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo now have fewer people living in multidimensional and extreme poverty. This is a remarkable achievement and an inspiring reminder that progress is possible.
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Even more encouraging, some African countries are on track to achieve SDG Target 1.2 by halving multidimensional poverty by 2030, while a few are on track to reach SDG Target 1.1 of eradicating extreme poverty.
4. A call for action
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With this evidence before us, and more knowledge and data than ever before, it is time to act.
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Several African LDCs are demonstrating that poverty reduction is possible. Their experiences should inspire and inform action across the continent.
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At a time of weakening multilateralism and rising inequality between and within countries, African LDCs need our support and must be a priority for Africa and the global community.
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The Doha declaration reminds us that the Eradication of Poverty in all its forms and dimensions is paramount.
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I am pleased to share that the UN ECA supports all its African Member States in implementing the Doha declaration with a focus on job creation, social protection, and inclusive structural transformation as key enablers of poverty reduction.
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The Doha declaration serves as a guide for us to “adopt a holistic approach towards the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme and multidimensional poverty.”
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I want to reiterate the Doha statement that we need to jointly “address the disproportionate impact of poverty on people in vulnerable situations and combat the feminization of poverty.”
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Let us join forces among all partners and institutions to:
a) close the financing gaps for poverty eradication and reaching all SDGs
b) guide resources to decent job creation for the youth and women on the continent
c) ensure sustainable and equitable financing for social protection systems
d) develop and implement adequate multidimensional poverty measurements to better measure the various dimensions of poverty
5. Conclusion
With these remarks, I am pleased to open this Side Event and look forward to learning from your vast and diverse experiences.
I wish you fruitful deliberations.